Gopher_Tortoise_Burrow_Survey.pdf

This is a Gopher Tortoise Burrow Survey memorandum from the Natural Resource Biologist to the Community Assistance Director for the City of Orange City, Florida, dated May 26, 2026. The survey was conducted on May 21, 2026, across ten parcels located on Carpenter Avenue in Orange City (parcels 8010-17-03-0100, 8010-17-03-0130, 8010-17-03-0150, 8010-17-04-0080, 8010-17-04-0070, 8010-17-04-0100, 8010-17-04-0050, 8010-17-04-0030, 8010-17-04-0010, and 8011-08-30-0190) as part of environmental assessment for the proposed Tiny Home Village Development project. The surveyed properties are characterized by heavy hardwood tree canopy that shades approximately 90 percent of the ground surface, creating habitat conditions atypical for gopher tortoise presence due to excessive shading and limited vegetation availability.

The survey identified only one gopher tortoise burrow across all ten parcels, which does not appear to be currently occupied and is located in soil conditions not conducive to typical gopher tortoise habitat. The Natural Resource Biologist recommends that an additional survey be conducted prior to the commencement of land clearing activities due to the presence of the identified burrow. The biologist indicated availability for further consultation and coordination as the project timeline approaches the construction phase.