HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 9/20/2022 - Memorandum From Paul Sizemore Re: Powerhouse Campus Easement Context
Community Development & Neighborhood Services
281 North College Avenue
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522.0580
970.416.2740
970.224.6134- fax
fcgov.com
Planning, Development & Transportation Services
MEMORANDUM
Date: September 14, 2022
To: Mayor Arndt and City Councilmembers
Thru: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Tyler Marr, Interim Deputy City Manager
Caryn Champine, Planning Development and Transportation Director
From: Paul Sizemore, Community Development and Neighborhood Services Director
Re: Powerhouse Campus Easement Context
The purpose of this memo is to provide additional context for Real Estate Services’
request for an emergency access easement on the City-owned Powerhouse Campus
property (which the City leases to CSU Research Foundation). The easement ordinance
has been approved by Council on first reading, and is scheduled for second reading at
the September 20, 2022, regular City Council meeting.
Bottom-Line
The easement is being sought because it was identified as an existing deficiency for the
site during staff review of a minor amendment to the Powerhouse Campus. This
easement is required to correct the deficiency and maintain compliance of the
Powerhouse Campus with existing development standards, notwithstanding CSU’s
application for a minor amendment.
The proposed minor amendment is to place two hydrogen fueling trailers for research
purposes on the Powerhouse Campus property. Significant portions of the existing
buildings and vehicle circulation areas exist within the 200-foot Natural Habitat Buffer
Zone (measured from the top of the bank of the Poudre River). Because the hydrogen
fueling trailers are also proposed to be placed within this buffer zone, the proposal must
conform to performance standards established by the Land Use Code. The proposal
includes mitigation measures to meet these standards.
Background
The emergency access easement is being requested because it was identified as an
existing deficiency on the CSU Powerhouse Campus. This deficiency was identified
because CSU is seeking a minor amendment for the property, which brought the need
for the easement to the City’s attention. The easement is required to be in place before
the minor amendment will be approved.
DocuSign Envelope ID: C03F0952-1E57-424E-A66E-0D61041A5BF2
The proposed project would add a hydrogen fuel station for research purposes to the
CSU Powerhouse Energy Campus located at 430 N College Avenue (parcel #
9712219901).
The proposal includes two 8’x20’ trailers, which have been delivered to the property and
are awaiting approval to be moved into their ultimate location and put into operation.
The intent is that they will be used to conduct research on hydrogen fuel cell technology
and hydrogen combustion, provide hands-on learning opportunities for students, and
serve as a resource for the state of Colorado and the general public in research, testing
and deployment of hydrogen-fueled vehicle and hydrogen energy systems.
This is an image of the units as they were being delivered to the Powerhouse site:
It is of note that the proposed location is not in the floodplain or floodway; however,
because the proposed area for the station falls within the previously established Natural
Habitat Buffer Zone, several design considerations and mitigation measures have been
identified to protect the Buffer Zone:
1. Compressors moved from top of containers to ground level to minimize visual
impact;
2. A low wall will be constructed around the compressors to provide visual and
sound screening;
3. The amount of native landscaping will be increased over the prescribed amount
in the original landscape plan (~46 new trees and shrubs to be planted), and
varying heights will be utilized to serve as a dense visual and sound screen;
4. Containers to be painted a neutral and natural tone to provide a complementary
color to the river corridor and the historic Powerhouse building;
5. Limitations on the volume of vehicles served (although actual use levels are
anticipated to be much lower than the imposed limits): no more than 3-4 daily,
≤30 total per week, ≤10 heavy-duty vehicles per week, to keep impacts from
vehicle traffic low;
DocuSign Envelope ID: C03F0952-1E57-424E-A66E-0D61041A5BF2
6. Limits placed on noise levels: ≤75 db at 1 meter distance, ≤60 db when
measured at the Poudre River Trail (to be measured by Code Compliance). This
generally conforms to the daytime noise limit for this location;
7. Refueling operations will be limited to between the hours of 8am to 6pm to avoid
activity during dawn and dusk, the most ecologically sensitive times;
8. No impermeable surface may be added.
The following aerial photo shows the existing condition of the site, and the site plan
indicates the proposed placement of the units. The red oval represents the location of
the new gravel where the units will be placed, and the purple line represents the extent
of the 200-foot Natural Habitat Buffer Zone.
DocuSign Envelope ID: C03F0952-1E57-424E-A66E-0D61041A5BF2
Next Steps
• If City Council approves the easement on second reading, the existing deficiency
will be corrected, and the Powerhouse Campus will comply with existing
development standards.
• The minor amendment application may then be approved, and CSU will be able
to proceed with the placement of the hydrogen fuel station and required site
improvements, including landscaping and screening.
DocuSign Envelope ID: C03F0952-1E57-424E-A66E-0D61041A5BF2