DEPARTMENT: Development Services
SUBJECT:
SEP-HCP Application 20-002 - TxDOT Alamo Ranch Parkway Overpass at Westwood Loop, Bexar County, Texas; CSJ: 0915-12-657
LOCATION:
This project is located within western Bexar County, within the City of San Antonio Council District 6 and unincorporated Bexar County. The project consists of approximately 15.1 acres of existing right-of way along Alamo Ranch Parkway extending approximately 0.5 miles from FM 1604 westward 0.3 miles past Westwood Loop in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Council District: 6
Owner: Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
Consultant: Zara Environmental, LLC
Acreage: 15.1 acres
TxDOT is proposing improvements along approximately 0.5 miles (mi) along Alamo Ranch Parkway from FM 1604 westward 0.3 miles past Westwood Loop in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. The TxDOT Alamo Ranch Parkway Overpass at Westwood Loop Project would provide improvements to Alamo Ranch Parkway from Loop 1604 to 0.30-mile west of Westwood Loop and construct an overpass at Westwood Loop with ties to the westbound (WB) frontage road. The purpose of the TxDOT Alamo Ranch Parkway Overpass at Westwood Loop is to improve safety and enhance mobility and operational efficiency within the project area by reducing potential conflict points, allow vehicles to move through the Westwood Loop, and provide a westbound exit ramp. As part of the Project’s formal USFWS section 7 Consultation (USFWS section 7 Consultation No. 02ETAU00-2020-F-0975) for unavoidable impacts to R. exilis, R. infernalis, C. vespera, and/or C. madla in previously undetected voids, TxDOT 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 will secure mitigation for a total acreage of approximately 15.1 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 TxDOT Alamo Ranch Parkway Overpass at Westwood Loop 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 TxDOT Alamo Ranch Parkway Overpass at Westwood Loop 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. 02ETAU00-2020-F-0975, 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. 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 TxDOT Alamo Ranch Parkway Overpass at Westwood Loop Project Area does not have any black-capped vireo (BCV) habitat and will not require any BCV conservation credits.
The TxDOT Alamo Ranch Parkway Overpass at Westwood Loop Project Area is located over Karst Zone 2 and totals 15.1 acres. 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 $15,100.00
• Plan Administration Fee of 1,510.00
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of application SEP-20-002 TxDOT Alamo Ranch Parkway Overpass at Westwood Loop and issuance of the mitigation determination to the Applicant.