Natural Features Inventory
The following discussion includes two sections. First, the purpose of a Natural Features Inventory is explained. Second, the criteria for approving a Natural Features Inventory exemption are identified.
A. Purpose of Natural Features Inventory
The NFI is the very first step of the environmental review process. As its name suggests, it is an inventory of the resources present at a site including the Canopy Road Protection Zones, flora and fauna (which would be documented by a biologist), wetlands, and the site's drainage characteristics, like flood elevations, flood plain, or closed basins (which would be documented by an engineer). The purpose of the NFI is to identify and document these features.
Project Details
- Jurisdictional boundary determination - A qualified professional retained by the applicant must determine the actual extent of conservation or preservation areas on a project boundary.
- Narratives - The application shall contain the necessary narrative and graphic information to identify and locate any conservation or preservation areas that may be present within the project boundary or within 150 feet of the project boundary.
- Natural features inventory map - The project boundary, property boundaries, and the jurisdictional boundaries of conservation and preservation areas must be depicted on this map. It includes the project boundary and land within 150 feet of the project boundary. It should include the site's contours, wells, existing structures and utilities and general tree locations.
- Location map
- Aerial photograph or GIS aerial.
- 25-year floodplain and 100-year floodplain - Elevations must be identified for projects that have all or a portion of the property located within the 25- or 100-year floodplain.
- Closed basins - The natural features inventory must identify whether the site is located within a closed drainage basin.
- One-hundred-year storm event flood exclusion area - The applicant must depict on the natural features inventory map the 100-year storm event flood elevation within the closed basin assuming full build-out of all on-site and off-site property within the closed basin.
- Significant and severe slope areas - Maps must provide contour intervals no greater than two feet.
- Soils - Soil types must be indicated on the natural features inventory map.
- Wells or areas susceptible to ground water contamination - Identify the location of any wells or areas where the aquifer is susceptible to contamination or known to be contaminated, located on or adjacent to the site.
- Cultural resource assessment - This document identifies whether there are known or potential archaeological or historical resources on site.
Submittal Requirements
- Completed application data.
- A project map which defines the boundary of the site
- A Natural Features Inventory Map which identifies the environmental resources that constrain the site.
- Flood boundary and base flood elevation computations if applicable, consistent with Sec. 5-54(c)(6), TLDC.
- Engineering Certification of floodplain submittals in accordance with Sec. 5-59, TLDC
Review
Growth Management Department staff will review the NFI, determine whether conservation or preservation areas exist on the site, and confirm their location (if present). Per the TLDC, that process must occur within 30 calendar days after submittal of a complete application. However, the Growth Management Department has created fast track timeframes for reviewing NFIs. Under the fast tracking program, new NFIs are reviewed in 15 work days, and NFI resubmittals are reviewed in 7 work days.
Approval
The applicant will be electronically notified when the submittal is approved. The approval letter and the approved NFI map will be uploaded into ePlan Review in a .pdf file for the applicant to download.
Appeals
A property owner or applicant can appeal the decision made by the Growth Management Director to the Environmental Board.
Information Sheets and Checklists
Document Submission Requirements and Naming Conventions
B. Criteria for Approving a Natural Features Inventory Exemption
If the proposed project site meets the criteria identified below, it may be eligible for an NFI exemption.
Project Details
Sufficient documentation must be provided to demonstrate that one or more of the following reasons for an NFI exemption has been met:
- An NFI was approved by the city within the previous 60 months and has been recertified, if necessary, and staff can verify that no changes to the site have occurred that would alter the previous approval; or
- If all of the following conditions are met: a.) No conservation or preservation areas, with the exception of a closed basin outside of a 100-year storm event flood exclusion area, are present on or within the project boundary; b.) The site or project boundary is less than five acres in size, exclusive of impervious surfaces; c.) The site or project boundary has less than two total acres of forested area or canopy coverage; and d.) A historical resources clearance letter accompanies the exemption request.
- Recertification of an expired natural features inventory. The director, after consultation with the city's senior biologist, has determined that the proposed project boundary represents the appropriate extents of impacts to the underlying parcel and adjacent parcels. The determination will be made on the basis of anticipated impacts to conservation or preservation features that may negatively or substantially affect the ecological functioning or benefit of the feature.
Submittal Requirements
Sufficient documentation must be provided to demonstrate that one or more of the reasons for an NFI exemption has been met. Review, approval and appeals processes are the same as noted for NFIs.
Information Sheets and Checklists
Document Submission Requirements and Naming Conventions