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Section 4.0 – Environmental Setting and Discussion of Impacts <br /> <br /> <br />City of Redwood City 29 Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration <br />Sandpiper Elementary School Facilities Expansion November 2016 <br />4.4 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES <br /> <br />4.4.1 Existing Setting <br /> <br />The project site is located within an urbanized residential area. The site is comprised of buildings, <br />pavement, a synthetic turf sports field, and landscaping. Redwood Shores Lagoon is located adjacent <br />to a portion of the western site boundary, and Steinberger Slough is located approximately 500 feet <br />east of the project site.11 12 There are no other waterways, wetlands, or sensitive habitat located on or <br />near the project site. <br /> <br />Habitats in developed areas are extremely low in species diversity. Species using developed habitat <br />are predominately urban-adapted birds and animals, such as doves, squirrels, and domestic cats. <br />Rare, threatened, endangered and sensitive plants, animals and natural communities are not expected <br />or likely to occur on the project site. This conclusion is based upon the fact that the site does not <br />contain suitable habitat for any of these species (e.g., marsh, wetland, riparian or serpentine soils). <br /> <br />4.4.1.1 Applicable Plans, Policies, and Regulations <br /> <br />City of Redwood City Tree Preservation Ordinance <br /> <br />Chapter 35 of the Redwood City Municipal Code defines tree preservation and management <br />regulations for the City. The Redwood City Tree Preservation Ordinance protects specified trees in <br />the City and establishes standards for removal, maintenance, and planting trees. <br /> <br />The Tree Preservation Ordinance states, “it is unlawful for anyone to cut, move or remove or cause to <br />cut, move or remove any ‘tree’ unless such person first obtains a permit from the Director of Parks <br />and Recreation to do so in a manner prescribed by him for such removal.” <br /> <br />A “tree” is defined as: (a) Any woody plant characterized by having a single trunk of a circumference <br />of thirty eight (38) inches or more, measured at any point between six (6) inches to thirty six (36) <br />inches above ground level; or (b) Any woody plant characterized by having a single trunk which has <br />been found by the Park and Recreation Commission to have significance to the community, which <br />plant is designated a “Heritage Tree.” <br /> <br />4.4.1.2 Trees <br /> <br />There are numerous trees and shrubs on and in the vicinity of the project site. There are a total of 45 <br />trees located within or immediately adjacent to the areas of the proposed improvements. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />11 A lagoon is a partly-enclosed area of seawater. <br />12 A slough is a stagnant area of water connected to a larger body of water such as a marsh, inlet, bayou, or <br />backwater. Steinberger Slough is an inlet connected to the San Francisco Bay. <br />7.A. - Page 60