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City of San Leandro Alvarado Commerce Center Project <br /> 26 <br />Existing Setting <br />The project site is located in a developed industrial area in incorporated San Leandro. Almost the <br />entire project site is covered with impervious surfaces (approximately 257,500 square feet). <br />Ornamental landscaping and landscaping trees are present along the frontage of both Alvarado <br />Street and Aladdin Avenue, and a small area with grasses that is used for equipment and vehicle <br />storage is located on the eastern portion of the project site. Other landscaping trees are present <br />along the north and west side of the warehouse located on the corner of Alvarado and Aladdin. The <br />site experiences human disturbance during operating hours. The site also is surrounded by <br />developed industrial uses with little to no natural vegetation or species habitat. <br />Impact Analysis <br />a. Would the project have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat <br />modifications, on any species identified as candidate, sensitive, or special status in local or <br />regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or <br />the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? <br />The project site does not contain habitat for any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or <br />special-status species in local or regional plans, policies or regulations and would not adversely <br />affect any species, either directly or through habitat modifications (San Leandro 2016a). Mature <br />landscaping trees are present onsite and street trees are located along Alvarado Street and Aladdin <br />Avenue. All but two existing trees located on the sidewalk right-of-way would remain. <br />Approximately 20 trees on the project site would be removed. These trees could contain bird nests <br />and birds that are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). Birds protected under the <br />MBTA include common songbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, hawks, owls, eagles, ravens, crows, native <br />doves and pigeons, swifts, martins, swallows, and others, including their body parts (feathers, <br />plumes etc.), nests, and eggs. Trees would be removed during construction. Therefore, nests could <br />be disrupted. In addition, the street trees that would remain during construction could contain nests <br />that are disrupted during construction. Therefore, impacts would be potentially significant without <br />mitigation. The following mitigation measure is required to protect nesting birds. <br />Mitigation Measures <br />The following mitigation measures would be required to avoid or reduce the project’s potentially <br />significant impacts to nesting birds and special-status wildlife. <br />BIO-1 Nesting Bird Surveys and Avoidance. Construction of the project and any other site <br />disturbing activities that would involve vegetation or tree removal, shall be prohibited <br />during the general avian nesting season (February 1 to August 31), if feasible. If nesting <br />season avoidance is not feasible, the applicant shall retain a qualified biologist, as <br />approved by the City of San Leandro, to conduct a preconstruction nesting bird survey to <br />determine the presence/absence, location, and activity status of any active nests on or <br />adjacent to the project site. The extent of the survey buffer area surrounding the site <br />shall be established by the qualified biologist to ensure that direct and indirect effects to <br />nesting birds are avoided. To avoid the destruction of active nests and to protect the <br />reproductive success of birds protected by the MBTA and California Fish and Game Code, <br />nesting bird surveys shall be performed not more than 14 days prior to scheduled <br />vegetation clearance and structure demolition. In the event that active nests are <br />discovered, a suitable buffer (typically a minimum buffer of 50 feet for passerines and a <br />323