2022-077 Greenspace Map Update December 22, 2022 Report No. 2022-077
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Update on the greenspace map in support of identifying and mapping wildlife corridors.
BACKGROUND:
The Denton 2040 Comprehensive Plan as approved on March 22, 2022, established Key Action
#127 - Identify and map wildlife corridors throughout the city. The term wildlife corridor was not
defined within the Denton 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
ISR 2022-038,dated June 17,2022,provided a staff-recommended definition for wildlife corridors
as"greenspace and manmade structures/improvements that allow wildlife to move between larger
areas of existing habitat." Additionally, the ISR outlined a two-pronged approach to identify and
map the wildlife corridors. The first step was to generate an overall greenspace map that pulls
information from existing City of Denton resources.
DISCUSSION:
Staff have reviewed available geographic information system (GIS) layers as well as augmented
GIS layers to better generate the greenspace map. The attached maps walk through the progression
of resources to ultimately generate an overall greenspace map.
Dead animal collection from city roads as performed and documented by Animal Services was
reviewed to assess for any higher impact roadway crossings or areas. The dead animal collection
review did not reveal any areas of greater collection incidents.
Development Services staff reviewed the data utilized to generate the Preferred Land Preservation
Map (Denton 2040 Comp Plan — Figure 2.2) and the Habitat Connectivity Map (Friday Report,
March 18, 2022, II.C. and Attachment A). This review led to separating the available resources
out to better see where opportunities may exist.
Environmental Services & Sustainability staff took a deeper dive into "greenspace"by reviewing
both available GIS as well as fixed development records not spatially represented in GIS. This
review included preserved habitat areas,open space,common areas,homeowner's association lots,
drainage easements, and Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA). The attached maps provide a
graphic representation of the process to develop the proposed greenspace map.
The maps reflect the potential viability of the areas by showing them as unlikely, potentially, and
likely to support natural habitat. Unlikely = land primarily developed such as the landfill, the
airport, HOA lots with an amenity center, and concrete lined drainage easements. Potentially =
land that some restrictions such as parkland with open space or interspersed open space and
maintained drainage easements. Likely=land with highest habitat potential such as permanently
preserved habitats,municipally owned undeveloped land,and confirmed or likely-to-be-confirmed
ESA. These categories are based on a desktop review of available aerial images and resources.
December 22,2022 Report No. 2022-077
This greenspace map will now be discussed with the wildlife working group for refinement into a
wildlife corridor map. This process will culminate in mid-2023 with the proposed Wildlife
Corridor map.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Attachment 1: Preserved Land with Habitat Map
2. Attachment 2: City of Denton Properties Map
3. Attachment 3: Drainage Easements Map
4. Attachment 4: Official Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA)Map
5. Attachment 5: Greenspace Map
STAFF CONTACT:
Michael A. Gange
Director of Environmental Services & Sustainability
Michael.gange@cityofdenton.com
(940) 349-7165
REOUESTOR: Staff Initiated
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT: 40 hours
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS: Environmental Services & Sustainability, Development
Services, Animal Services, Drainage, and Parks & Recreation
Attachment 1 — Preserved Land with Habitat Map
Environmentally Sensitive Areas that have been placed in an HOA lot, a drainage easement, or a conservation easement
through a final plat or filed through another instrument is expected to be permanently preserved as natural habitat that
will promote wildlife presence. Where connected, these areas are most likely to foster wildlife,whether as part of the
corridor or as a resting ground.
Potential for Wildlife Corridors
Preserved Land with Habitat
Preserved Land as of Oct-22
CID
2^
y
o
o
— .door--
�. a..
:41!
Page 1
Attachment 2 — City of Denton Properties Map
City of Denton properties, drainage easements and open space properties were analyzed. Open space parcels were
identified by selecting all parcels with key terms, such as "Open Space", "Common Area", and "Homeowners Association
Lot". Each feature was analyzed for potential for wildlife to exist,traverse, or hide. Each feature was labeled as either
Unlikely, Potentially, or Likely to foster wildlife existing on or traveling through the lot.
Potential for Wildlife Corridors
City of Denton Properties
City Of Denton Property
r
Unik ely- 1,85.8 ac
Potentially-1.051 ac CO3
Likely-1,e78 ac
e
J u ---
IlLi J_A
- RAIL-
0
I
Page 2
Attachment 3 — Drainage Easements Map
Drainage easements alone were reviewed. Each feature was analyzed for potential for wildlife to exist, traverse, or hide.
Each feature was labeled as either Unlikely, Potentially, or Likely to foster wildlife existing on or traveling through the
lot.
Potential for Wildlife Corridors
Drainage Easements
J
`I
Drainage Easements
r
Unlikely-182 ac
V16—
Potentially-84 ac C93
Likely-158 ac
Q, 8
CO
to
a -
a
� - o ,
Page 3
Attachment 4 — Official Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) Map
The Official Environmentally Sensitive Areas map was analyzed by evaluating all ESAs, whether the designation as an ESA
had previously been removed,the ESA designation currently exists, or there has never been an assessment of whether
the area could be considered an ESA. Each feature was labeled as either Unlikely, Potentially, or Likely to foster wildlife
existing on or traveling through the area.
Potential for Wildlife Corridors
Environmentally Sensitive Areas
J
�I
I
Environmentally Sensitive Areas
Unlikely-2,863 ac
Potentially-3,215 ac d2
Likely-13,745 ac
U
O 1,
J a
- r
r ,
L .T
i
Page 4
Attachment 5 — Greenspace Map
Combined,the different land types ranked by potential to be incorporated into a wildlife corridor program. Each feature
was labeled as either Unlikely, Potentially, or Likely to foster wildlife existing on or traveling through the lot.
Potential for Wildlife Corridors
All Land Types
r
' J
I!
Land Types
UnI' Z-5.086 ac y ---U � >
Potentialry -3,956 ac
Like -10 556 F — 1
o
a Ea
a `+r
D
Page 5