Before the developer of one of the largest residential projects in Moorpark history can start construction, Comstock Homes must first protect the habitat of a tiny bird called the coastal California gnatcatcher.
Comstock will soon begin conservation efforts for the bird on about 50 acres of land called the Hitch Ranch habitat preserve, which includes a portion of the residential site as well as adjacent city-owned open space to the north.
On June 18, Moorpark councilmembers granted the company permission to enter the city-owned portion of the habitat preserve and begin the conservation. The work will avoid existing public trails.
Comstock did not respond to multiple interview requests, and it is unclear how habitat conservation will affect the timeline of the residential project.
The Hitch Ranch project, approved by the Moorpark City Council in June 2022, will consist of 755 homes, including 427 single-family homes, 193 multi-family homes and 135 affordable apartments. The 275-acre property located north of Pointdexter Avenue will also feature trails, public parklands and HOA recreation areas.
What is the coastal California gnatcatcher?
A subspecies of the California gnatcatcher, the coastal California gnatcatcher is a small, non-migratory songbird found on the coastal slopes of Southern California, specifically from Ventura down to San Diego, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife.
Its preferred habitat is coastal sage scrub, including sagebrush, buckwheat and prickly-pear cactus. Much of its already limited range has been developed into suburbs.
Long Beach-based Comstock learned of the presence of the birds while preparing the mandatory environmental impact report.
“The residential developer at Hitch Ranch has designed and engineered this residential community so that birds and wildlife can still move safely through the development,” a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesperson said.
There is little data on the subspecies’ population, but it is designated as a federally threatened species and a species of special concern by the state, meaning that it is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future.
To proceed with construction without violating the Endangered Species Act, Comstock had to submit a habitat conservation plan to Fish and Wildlife. The document outlined the anticipated, unavoidable impacts of the development on gnatcatcher and how those impacts would be mitigated.
On the preserve, the developer will remove invasive plants that could harm the gnatcatcher while adding native plants, specifically coastal sage scrub, to provide foraging and nesting habitats for the bird, according to city and state documents.
Necessary scrub removal will be done outside of the breeding season, no-construction buffers will be established within 500 feet of active nests and construction lighting will be directed away from habitats.
What’s next for the Hitch Ranch project?
Once short-term improvements are complete, Comstock and the city of Moorpark will enter into an agreement with a nonprofit that will manage the long-term conservation efforts at the preserve. The developer will fund site management in perpetuity.
A December 2024 document the company submitted to Fish and Wildlife states that grading and site improvements would take three years while construction of the homes would take another three years.
Doug Spondello, Moorpark’s community development director, said in an interview that Comstock will likely begin grading in July after a biologist ensures there are no other sensitive species in the area.
“Habitat conservation is a fairly common mitigation, particularly within areas of the city that are adjacent to open space,” he said.
Makena Huey is an investigative and watchdog reporter for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at makena.huey@vcstar.com. This story was made possible by a grant from the Ventura County Community Foundation’s Fund to Support Local Journalism.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Threatened bird affects one of Moorpark’s largest developments in years
Reporting by Makena Huey, Ventura County Star / Ventura County Star
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