Council plans for future swallow habitat [Video]

A colony of about 2,000 bank swallows will not be evicted from the Byron Gravel Pit when the property is redeveloped.

On Tuesday, council unanimously (14-0, McAlister absent) supported an amendment by Coun. Skylar Franke to ensure the rare migratory birds will always have habitat on the property.

“Making sure that somewhere at this location there is habitat for the bank swallows,” Franke urged colleagues as she introduced her amendment.

Specifically, it directs city staff to, “Ensure that future background studies supporting the development of a Park Master Plan for the Byron Gravel Pit investigate the creation and inclusion of artificial habitat or an alternative location for the Bank Swallow, if such needs are required due to planned relocation of the habitat.”

The direction was added to council’s approval of the Byron Gravel Pit Secondary Plan, which lays the groundwork for redeveloping the property into high-rise residential near its perimeter …