Environmental Overview for Proposed Variance at 275 Kerwood Avenue

RE: Environmental Overview for Proposed Variance at 275 Kerwood Avenue, Victoria, BC

On 26 November 2015, 23 February 2016 and 29 March 2016 Sara Stallard, BSc, AScT, Dipl.Env.Tech. of FKW Environmental visited the property at 275 Kerwood Avenue, in Victoria, BC to evaluate the existing condition of the shoreline within the Town of View Royal’s Natural Watercourse and Shoreline Areas Development Permit Area (DPA) in reference to proposed residential construction on the property. For reference to a proposed building variance, the entire property was examined in addition to the DPA. As per View Royal’s Schedule Q of the Official Community Plan (2011) Bylaw No. 811, the site was assessed for sensitive ecosystems, red and blue listed species, wildlife trees, and all environmentally sensitive areas within the site. This Environmental Overview summarizes our preliminary assessment of the environmental conditions on the upland portion of the property, including the area of the proposed residential construction.

A detailed assessment of the environmental conditions within the 15-m Shoreline DPA and potential impacts from the proposed construction work zone is the subject of a separate report to follow.

SITE SUMMARY

The majority of this approximately 1650 m² residential lot has been impacted by previous buildings, driveways and yard maintenance. The southwest-facing site generally slopes to the exposed bedrock on this rocky shoreline where it drops steeply to the foreshore. Exposed bedrock outcrops are also adjacent to Kerwood Avenue at the upper (north) end of the property. The 2.5-storey residential house previously located in the south central part of the property had been removed prior to FKW site visits. With the exception of the vegetated rocky outcrop, much of the central and north portions of the site are gravel or exposed soil and bedrock, and are devoid of vegetation.

Limited vegetation, mostly non-native, exists at the northern bedrock outcrop, along the eastern edge, and along the shoreline. Small pockets of native vegetation exist along the shoreline within the 15-m DPA. Three mature trees are located along the eastern property boundary: 2 large Douglas-firs and a cypress (non-native). The site contains a number of invasive, non-native species including Himalayan blackberry (Rubus discolor), English ivy (Hedera helix), spurge laurel (Daphne laureola), morning glory (family Convolvulaceae), common vetch (Vinca sativa), periwinkle, ornamental bulbs (English bluebells, grape hyacinth, daffodils), and non-native grasses.

The property is surrounded by single-family residences (west and north) and the right-of-way for a small road-end parklet and stormwater discharge (CRD#870), heavily impacted by invasive species (east). Online searches of the CRD Natural Areas Atlas and Harbours Atlas, Conservation Data Centre (CDC) database and the Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory (SEI) were conducted prior to the initial site visit for listings of environmentally sensitive ecosystems, red or blue-listed flora and fauna, wildlife trees, or any other pertinent features. No environmental data points were listed on or near the property and the site inspections did not reveal any environmentally sensitive ecosystems, red or blue-listed species, wildlife trees or significant environmental features of this type.

PROPOSED PROJECT and IMPACT of WORK on EXISTING NATURAL CONDITIONS

The 2.5-storey, 460-m², single-family residence proposed for this site is situated significantly further from the 15-m Shoreline DPA than the previous dwelling. The location concentrates the building outside of vegetated areas, with the exception of the rocky bedrock adjacent to Kerwood Avenue, vegetated with mainly ornamental (non-native) species. This location is also avoids impacts to any of the mature trees onsite, all of which are along the eastern property boundary. Siting of the structure in the north, uphill portion of the site allows for potential treatment of stormwater (downspouts and surface runoff) in raingardens outside of the 15-m Shoreline DPA.

Provided the Best Management Practices for construction are followed, we do not expect the proposed size and location of the residence to have any negative impacts to the current ecosystems of the property, including the 15-m Shoreline DPA setback from Esquimalt Harbour.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.

Sincerely,

Sara Stallard, BSc., AScT (#22338), Envr.Tech. Fish-Kissing Weasels Environmental