DEPARTMENT: Development Services
SUBJECT:
SEP-HCP Application 20-001 - Bulverde Road Phase IV, Bexar County, Texas
CSJ: 0915-12-509
LOCATION:
This project is located within northwest Bexar County. The project consists of approximately 16.47 acres of existing right-of way along approximately 1.3 miles of Bulverde Road from TPC Parkway to 1.2 miles north of Marshall Road, in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Council District: N/A (Unincorporated Bexar County)
Owner: Bexar County, Texas (Project Sponsor) & Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
Consultant: Zara Environmental, LLC
Acreage: 16.47 acres
TxDOT and Bexar County are proposing improvements along approximately 1.3 miles (mi) of Bulverde Road from TPC Parkway to 1.2-mi north of Marshall Road in Bexar County, Texas. The Bulverde Road Phase IV Project would widen Bulverde Road to accommodate two 12-foot (ft) lanes and two 11-ft lanes, 5-ft shoulders, curbs and gutters, and retaining walls. Additionally, the Bulverde Road Phase IV Project would add a 5-ft sidewalk on the east side of Bulverde Road from TPC Parkway to Bulverde Oaks; add right- and left-turn lanes at the Marshall Road, Valley Creek, and Bulverde Oaks intersections; and install a new traffic signal at Bulverde Oaks. The purpose of the Bulverde Road Phase IV Project is to improve safety and enhance mobility and operational efficiency within the project area by reducing potential conflict points and allowing vehicles to move through the interchange with greater efficiency. The Bulverde Road Phase IV Project would also enhance bicycle and pedestrian connectivity throughout the project area.
As part of the Project’s formal USFWS Section 7 Consultation (USFWS Section 7 Consultation No. 02ET A U00-2014-F-0244-R) for unavoidable impacts to R. exilis, R. infernalis, and/or C. madla in previously undetected voids, TxDOT (or Bexar County as project sponsor) is required to mitigate through the SEP-HCP. Mitigation was based on the anticipated disturbances within Karst Zone 1 and 2 within the Project Area. TxDOT (or Bexar County as project sponsor) will secure mitigation for a total acreage of approximately 16.47 acres before the start of construction. As such, the Applicant wishes to enroll in the SEP-HCP to mitigate impacts to the SEP-HCP Covered Species from the development activities. The draft mitigation determination detailing the project is attached and a summary of the mitigation needs is included below.
The Bulverde Road Phase IV Project Area includes 0 acres of golden-cheeked warbler (GCW) habitat with the Project Area and 0 acres of GCW habitat within 300 feet of the Project Area. The Bulverde Road Phase IV Project Area will require a total of 0 GCW conservation credits (direct impacts at 2 credits:1 acre mitigation ratio = 0 conservation credits and indirect impacts at 0.5 credits:1 acre mitigation ratio = 0 conservation credits).
The Applicant provided a copy of the USFWS Section 7 Consultation No. 02ET A U00-2014-F-0244-R, which determined that that the proposed action was not likely to adversely affect the Golden-cheeked Warbler (GCWA) (Setophaga chrysoparia). The Service concurred that the proposed project is not likely to adversely affect the GCWA due to negative GCWA survey results, avoidance and minimization measures included in the biological assessment, and the restricted linear nature of the proposed activity (please see sections 2.4.3, 4.1.1 and Appendix D in the Biological Assessment). Portions of the project area were surveyed in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015 with the result that the entirety of the project area was surveyed at least once for GCWA and GCWAs were not detected during any of these surveys. Per the Biological Opinion, the Applicant will not be required to mitigate for the GCWA or submit any other documentation to the Permittees as part of the requirements for enrollment in the SEP-HCP.
The Bulverde Road Phase IV Project Area does not have any black-capped vireo (BCV) habitat and will not require any BCV conservation credits.
The Bulverde Road Phase IV Project Area is located over Karst Zone 1 and Karst Zone 2 and totals 16.48 acres (14.19 acres within Karst Zone 1 and 2.28 acres within Karst Zone 2). The project is not located within any Critical Habitat Units nor is it within 750-ft of any occupied features.
Participation in the SEP-HCP for this application will require the following:
• Karst Zone 1 & 2 participation fee of $16,480.00
• Plan Administration Fee of 1,648.00
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of applications SEP-20-001 Bulverde Road Phase IV Project Area and issuance of the mitigation determination to the Applicant.