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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLINCOLN CORRIDOR HOTEL - PDP - PDP170026 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTEcological Characterization Study Report PREPARED FOR SPIRIT HOSPITALITY, LLC 4836 S. College Ave, Ste. 11 Fort Collins, CO 80525 (970)-226-1686 PREPARED BY Olsson Associates 1880 Fall River Dr., Suite 200 Loveland, CO 80538 (970)-461-7733 February 2017 Olsson Associates Project No. 017-0150 Ecological Characterization Study Report Staybridge Suites February 2017 i Table of Contents Page 1.0 Project description ............................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Location ................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Background .............................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Purpose .................................................................................................................... 3 2.0 Methods ............................................................................................................................. 3 3.0 Existing Ecological Resources ........................................................................................... 3 3.1 Vegetation ................................................................................................................ 3 3.2 Sensitive Species ..................................................................................................... 4 3.3 General Wildlife Use and Habitat .............................................................................. 8 3.4 Ecosystem Functions ............................................................................................... 8 4.0 Mitigation ........................................................................................................................... 8 5.0 References ...................................................................................................................... 10 List of Tables Table 1. Sensitive species listed for Larimer County, Colorado. ................................................. 7 List of Figures Figure 1. Site Map…………………………………………………….……………………..……………….2 Figure 2. NWI and SSURGO Soils Map…………………….…………………………………….....…5 Figure 3. Survey Results Map……………………………...……………………………………….…...6 List of Appendices Appendix A Photos Appendix B USFWS Species List Appendix C Concept Design Ecological Characterization Study Report Staybridge Suites February 2017 1 1.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION Spirit Hospitality, LLC is proposing to build a three-story Staybridge Suites hotel in Fort Collins, CO. Staybridge Suites is an extended stay hotel that caters to travelers that are in Fort Collins for long periods of time and are looking for a more home-like living arrangement during that time. One-hundred-and-four units are planned for studio rooms, one bedroom, and two bedrooms. In addition to these, a large meeting area, indoor bike parking and repair rooms, and an indoor pool are planned. Outdoor spaces will provide for guest use of gas fire pits, arbors, and patio tables. Surface parking will be provided to support the needs of the 104 guest rooms and staff. All new landscape will be provided and will be in adherence to both the City of Fort Collins requirements as well as the future hotel brand requirements. A covered entry will be located at the main entry. A courtyard with seating and fire pit make up part of the landscape to the east of the building. The general building shape will be a 3-story horseshoe shape, roughly 300 feet in length with two legs at 162 feet and 130 feet independently. A single story pool building will be attached to the building on the southwest corner. Staybridge Suites will maintain an average 300-foot buffer from the Poudre River for the hotel portion of the building. The south portion of the site will be seeded and planted with native, zone appropriate plants to blend and enhance the buffer along the river. 1.1 Location The proposed project is located within Section 12, Township 7 North, Range 69 West of the 6th Principle Meridian within the City of Fort Collins, Larimer County, Colorado (Figure 1). Located at 301 East Lincoln Ave (parcel 9712412001), the Staybridge Suites site is a 3.87-acre lot bordered by the Odell Brewing Company to the north (across Lincoln Ave.), the new Woodward campus to the east, the Poudre River to the south, and In-situ Inc. to the west. Approximately one-half acre will be purchased from Woodward to allow for a secondary access point and parking on the east side of the property. The Poudre River 100-year floodway and flood fringe cover the southern portion of the site, while the northern portion is in the Poudre River 500-year floodplain. The site generally drains from the north to the south and there is side road drainage along E. Lincoln Ave to the east. The proposed building lot is immediately north of the Poudre River and northwest of the Homestead Natural Area. The area considered for hotel construction is within the current property boundary and north of the Poudre River Trail and an extension east to include a neighboring parking lot (project area). No work by Spirit Hospitality, LLC proposed beyond the Poudre River Trail. 1.2 Background Currently, the site is used for commercial business with several small buildings and a small paved parking lot for Hydro Construction. The current owner will be moving forward with demolition of all existing structures and facilities. An adjacent paved parking lot immediately to the east is proposed for inclusion as additional parking and entry for the hotel. Ecological Characterization Study Report Staybridge Suites February 2017 2 Ecological Characterization Study Report Staybridge Suites February 2017 3 1.3 Purpose This report has been prepared to meet the requirements of the City of Fort Collins Land Use Code Section 3.4.1 – Natural Habitats and Features. This Section applies, “if any portion of the development site is within five-hundred (500) feet of an area or feature identified as a natural habitat or feature on the City's Natural Habitats and Features Inventory Map. Natural habitats include aquatic resources, such as the Poudre River. Section 3.4.1 (D)(1) requires that an ecological characterization study be prepared for the entire property proposed for development if it is within 500 feet of a known natural habitat (Poudre River Corridor). Projects in the vicinity of the Poudre River must also comply with Section 3.4.1(I)(1) of the Land Use Code, which states the following: “Projects in the vicinity of large natural habitats and/or natural habitat corridors, including, but not limited to, the Poudre River Corridor and the Spring Creek Corridor, shall be designed to complement the visual context of the natural habitat. Techniques such as architectural design, site design, the use of native landscaping and choice of colors and building materials shall be utilized in such manner that scenic views across or through the site are protected, and manmade facilities are screened from offsite observers and blend with the natural visual character of the area. These requirements shall apply to all elements of a project, including any aboveground utility installations.” The project is also located adjacent to Homestead Nature Area, and as such, is subject to Section 3.4.1(L) Compatibility with Public Natural Areas or Conserved Land which states: if the project contains or abuts a publicly owned natural area or conserved land, the development plan shall be designed so that it will be compatible with the management of such natural area or conserved land. In order to achieve this, the development plan shall include measures such as barriers or landscaping measures to minimize wildlife conflicts, setbacks or open space tracts to provide a transition between the development and the publicly owned natural area or conserved land, and educational signage or printed information regarding the natural values, management needs and potential conflicts associated with living in close proximity to such natural area or conserved land. 2.0 METHODS In order to determine the ecological resources that may be impacted by the proposed project, an initial desktop assessment was conducted to assess aquatic resources (including wetlands) and state and federal-listed threatened and endangered species and/or their habitat which may be present at the site. Following the desktop assessment, an Olsson biologist conducted a site visit to document natural resources within the proposed development property. Online database information for the project area was collected from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Information, Planning, and Conservation System (2017a) and National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) mapper (2017b), Google Earth aerial imagery, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS 2017) Web Soil Survey, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (2016). 3.0 EXISTING ECOLOGICAL RESOURCES 3.1 Vegetation During the desktop review of aerial imagery, the site appeared to lack vegetation save for a row of shrubs in the northern portion along the west side of a parking lot, a tree and small grass patch next to the building on the northeast corner of the lot, and scattered grass or weedy patches within the southwestern corner. Ecological Characterization Study Report Staybridge Suites February 2017 4 The identified areas of vegetation observed during the desktop assessment were confirmed during the site visit. A row of juniper (Juniperus sp.) are present in the northern parking lot and a small cottonwood tree (Populus deltoides) was observed against the building in the northeast corner of the lot (Appendix A). The southern portion of the lot was covered with snow at the time of the site visit, so vegetation could not be observed. However, last season’s grass species, such as fescue (Festuca sp.) and brome (Bromus sp.), were evident through snow on neighboring properties which suggests these grasses are unlikely to be present on the proposed development lot. No native vegetation communities are present within the project area. Although the site visit was conducted in the winter, no wetland areas are suspected (no previously mapped wetlands (Figure 2), depressions, or remnants of hydrophilic vegetation). The only feature mapped by NWI is the Cache la Poudre River, located outside the proposed construction area. The soil types mapped within the project area (Figure 2) are Loveland clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes and Table Mountain loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes. Both soils have low hydric soil ratings, 5 and 4 (NRCS 2017), respectively, 100 being a soil only found under hydric conditions and 0 being a soil with no hydric components. These soils are more indicative of upland conditions than wetland conditions. Although no wetland features were observed during the site assessment, the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) and the top of the bank of the Cache la Poudre River were delineated (Figure 3). 3.2 Sensitive Species Table 1 provides the likelihood of occurrence for state and federally threatened and endangered species listed by the USFWS as potentially occurring within Larimer County (Appendix B) or in other geographic areas which may be affected by the project (i.e., downstream). An effects assessment of each listed species is provided below. Five species are listed by USFWS for projects in Larimer County which may impact downstream river basins. The project will not impact the Cache la Poudre River or result in depletions to the river. Therefore, the project will not affect these downstream federally listed species: least tern (Sterna antillarum), piping plover (Charadrius melodus), whooping crane (Grus americana), pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus), or western fringed prairie orchid (Plantanthera praeclara). Table 1 provides a likelihood of occurrence assessment for all federally listed species known or believed to occur in Larimer County based on preferred habitat. The unvegetated, highly disturbed nature of the project area and its location in the urban Fort Collins setting, make it unsuitable for each of the listed species. Ecological Characterization Study Report Staybridge Suites February 2017 5 Ecological Characterization Study Report Staybridge Suites February 2017 6 Ecological Characterization Study Report Staybridge Suites February 2017 7 Table 1. Sensitive species listed for Larimer County, Colorado. Species Status* Likelihood of Occurrence Birds Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida) FT, ST Not likely to occur. Preferred habitat, old-growth or mature forests that possess complex structural components (uneven-aged stands, high canopy closure, multi-storied levels, high tree density), is not present in the Project area or vicinity Fish Greenback cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki stomias) FT, ST Not likely to occur. Greenback cutthroat trout require clear, cold, well-oxygenated water; suitable habitat is not present in the project area Plants Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana var. coloradensis) FT Not likely to occur. The project area is significantly disturbed and does not contain early-to mid-succession riparian (river bank) habitat required by Colorado butterfly plant North Park phacelia (Phacelia formosula) FE Not likely to occur. North Park phacelia is known only to an area measuring roughly 10 miles in either direction at about 8,000 to 8,300 feet in elevation Ute ladies’-tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis) FT Not likely to occur. Suitable habitat includes seasonally flooded river terraces, subirrigated or spring-fed abandoned stream channels and valleys, and lakeshores; the project area does not contain suitable habitat. The project will not impact seasonally flooded areas along the Cache la Poudre River which may contain suitable habitat Insects Arapahoe snowfly (Arsapnia arapahoe) FC Not likely to occur. Araphoe snowfly is only known to occur in eight first-order streams along the Front Range; these locations do not include the project area or the Cache la Poudre River Mammals Cananda lynx (Lynx canadensis) FT Not likely to occur. Suitable habitat, the classic boreal forest ecosystem known as the taiga, is not present in or near the project area North American wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus) FPT, SE Not likely to occur. Wolverines select areas that are cold and receive enough winter precipitation to reliably maintain deep persistent snow late into the warm season; the project area and vicinity do not maintain habitat conditions suitable for wolverine Preble’s meadow jumping mouse Ecological Characterization Study Report Staybridge Suites February 2017 8 3.3 General Wildlife Use and Habitat Colorado Parks and Wildlife (2016) lists the following species as having ranges inclusive of the project area: bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), black bear (Ursus americanus), black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus), Canada geese (Branta canadensis), great blue heron (Ardea herodias), mountain lion (Puma concolor), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei), white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), white- tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). The project area does not contain any large trees suitable for roosting or nesting by hawks, eagles, or herons. The adjacent Cache la Poudre River corridor contains large cottonwood trees which are suitable for roosting and nesting for a variety of bird species, from passerines to hawks. The project will not result in the loss of any trees along the river corridor and the nature of construction and future business is not likely to cause increased disturbance to birds in the area over current ambient conditions. Other waterbirds and waterfowl use the Cache la Poudre River (two mallards were observed on the water during the site visit), but the project area does not contain any open water habitat. The proposed project will not impact open water or shoreline habitat along the Cache la Poudre River. The project area is currently fenced on the west, south, and east sides. East Lincoln Avenue is the northern border of the project area with a pedestrian sidewalk and driveway entrance/exit into the site. The chain-link fence prohibits easy movement through the area for medium to large-sized mammals (e.g., raccoons, foxes, and deer) and eliminates the site as a migration corridor. The project area does not contain habitat for other large mammals, such as mountain lion or black bear, and these species are unlikely to inhabit the project vicinity due to its urban setting and distance from suitable habitat along the mountain foothills. Black bear may occasionally follow the river corridor into Fort Collins, but providing habitat for this species in an urban setting is not favorable for public safety or the welfare of the animal. Small mammals, such as rodents and rabbits, may move through the site to vegetated areas surrounding the project area. Habitat within the project area consists of the juniper row, outbuildings (sheds), and scrap lumber piles which may be used for cover. The project will not impact the surrounding vegetation but will result in habitat improvements at the project area for small mammals and birds (see Section 4). No wildlife was observed in the project area during the site visit. 3.4 Ecosystem Functions The site provides very few ecosystem functions. There is no naturally growing vegetation or significant landscape to contribute to wildlife habitat or air quality improvements. The pervious surface provides for infiltration of stormwater throughout the site. There are no aquatic areas to capture, filter, or provide nutrient sequestration, processes which improve water and soil quality. 4.0 MITIGATION Although the project area does not provide suitable habitat for most local wildlife species, the project includes measures to increase the usability of the area. Native landscaping will be installed by way of trees within the parking lot and around the outside areas of the hotel. Similar to the lot just west of the project area, native landscaping and a trail to connect to the Poudre River trail is proposed on the south side of the lot (approximately 1.89 acres). Native trees, shrubs, and grasses which are ecologically appropriate for this location are proposed within a 250-foot buffer of the Cache la Poudre River. A conceptual design of the hotel and restored natural area is provided in Appendix C. The goals of the planting plan will be to provide for year-round use of the site by birds, small mammals, and beneficial insects, and provide for air and water quality treatment. Ecological Characterization Study Report Staybridge Suites February 2017 9 Additional measures to reduce stormwater runoff from the building and parking lot include permeable pavers and curbless edges within 300 feet of the Cache la Poudre River. Curbless edges will allow stormwater to flow towards vegetated areas where it can infiltrate the soil. The chain-link fence will be permanently removed on all sides of the lot to create an area more conducive to animal movements near the river. Construction mitigation measures aim to avoid direct impacts to wildlife species. Although the site contains only a single tree and juniper bush, vegetation clearing and grubbing will be scheduled to avoid the nesting season (mid-March – July) or will commence only after a qualified biologist conducts a nest survey of the site within one week of clearance work. If an occupied nest is located, work within the immediate area will stop and recommence after fledging. Project construction will follow best management practices (BMPs) outlined in a Stormwater Management Plan for the project. The preliminary design of the proposed drainage facilities will be completed in accordance with the criteria presented in the City of Fort Collins Stormwater Criteria Manual (City of Fort Collins 2011) and the drainage criteria for the stormwater basin. Following this plan will reduce the potential for downstream sedimentation, reduce offsite erosion and sedimentation, and reduce dust production during construction. Timing of construction and earthworks during fall and winter months will also minimize the risk of offsite erosion and sedimentation through avoidance of work during the wet season (July – August). Ecological Characterization Study Report Staybridge Suites February 2017 10 5.0 REFERENCES Belcher, T.P. 2015. Estimating the Population Size and Distribution of the Arapahoe Snowfly (Arsapnia arapahoe) (Plecoptera: Capniidae) along the Northern Front Range of Coloado. Master’s Thesis; 53pp. City of Fort Collins. 2011. Stormwater Criteria Manual. http://www.fcgov.com/utilities/business/builders-and-developers/development-forms- guidelines-regulations/stormwater-criteria. Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 2016. CPW All Species Activity Mapping Data. https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=190573c5aba643a0bc058e6f7f0510b7. Fertig, W., Black, R., and P. Wolken. 2005. Rangewide Status Review of Ute Ladies’-Tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis). 101 pp. Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Web Soil Survey. 2017. https://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 2017. Birds of North America. https://birdsna.org/Species- Account/bna/home. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2017a. Information, Planning, and Conservation System. https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/. USFWS. 2017b. National Wetlands Inventory Mapper. https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/data/mapper.HTML. USFWS. 2017c. Mexican Spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida); species profile. http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=B074. USFWS. 2017d. Species Profile for Greenback Cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki stomias). https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=E00F USFWS. 2017e. Species Profile for Colorado Butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana var. coloradensis). http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=Q0VV. USFWS. 2017f. Species Profile for Ute ladies’-tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis); species profile. http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=Q2WA. USFWS. 2017g. Species Profile for Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis). https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=A073. USFWS. 2017h. Species Profile for North American wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus). http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=A0FA. USFWS. 2015i. Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei); Species Profile. http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=A0C2. APPENDIX A PHOTOS Photo 1. Looking east along the south side of the project area and along the Poudre River Trail. Photo 2. Looking northwest from the southeast property boundary of the bank of the Cache la Poudre River and the Poudre River Trail. Photo 3. Looking southeast at Homestead Natural Area from southeast corner of project area. Photo 4. Southeast corner of project area. Poudre River Trail on photo left. Photo 5. Looking northwest at the southern end of the project area. Photo 6. Looking south from the sidewalk along East Lincoln Avenue at the west side of the project area. Photo 7. Looking south from the center of the project area. Treed area is Poudre River corridor. Photo 8. Typical storage use within the project area. Photo 9. Looking west at southwestern corner of project area, devoid of vegetation. Photo 10. View to the north from the center of the project area. Juniper bush is left of cars parked in the photo center. APPENDIX B USFWS SPECIES LIST IPaC resource list Location Larimer County, Colorado Local office Colorado Ecological Services Field Office ¨ (303) 236-4773 Ƣ (303) 236-4005 MAILING ADDRESS Denver Federal Center P.o. Box 25486 Denver, CO 80225-0486 PHYSICAL ADDRESS 134 Union Boulevard, Suite 670 Lakewood, CO 80228-1807 http://www.fws.gov/coloradoES http://www.fws.gov/platteriver IPaC U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service IPaC: Explore Location Page 1 of 11 https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/location/XGJBLPGC5VATFC4OTVVTWTEJLA/resources 1/19/2017 Endangered species This resource list is for informational purposes only and should not be used for planning or analyzing project level impacts. Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act requires Federal agencies to “request of the Secretary information whether any species which is listed or proposed to be listed may be present in the area of such proposed action” for any project that is conducted, permitted, funded, or licensed by any Federal agency. A letter from the local office and a species list which fulfills this requirement can only be obtained by requesting an official species list either from the Regulatory Review section in IPaC or from the local field office directly. For project evaluations that require USFWS concurrence/review, please return to the IPaC website and request an official species list by creating a project and making a request from the Regulatory Review section. Listed species are managed by the Endangered Species Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1. Species listed under the Endangered Species Act are threatened or endangered; IPaC also shows species that are candidates, or proposed, for listing. See the listing status page for more information. The following species are potentially affected by activities in this location: Birds 1 NAME STATUS Least Tern Sterna antillarum No critical habitat has been designated for this species. http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8505 Endangered Mexican Spotted Owl Strix occidentalis lucida There is a final critical habitat designated for this species. Your location is outside the designated critical habitat. http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8196 Threatened IPaC: Explore Location Page 2 of 11 https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/location/XGJBLPGC5VATFC4OTVVTWTEJLA/resources 1/19/2017 Fishes Flowering Plants Piping Plover Charadrius melodus There is a final critical habitat designated for this species. Your location is outside the designated critical habitat. http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6039 Threatened Whooping Crane Grus americana There is a final critical habitat designated for this species. Your location is outside the designated critical habitat. http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/758 Endangered NAME STATUS Greenback Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarki stomias No critical habitat has been designated for this species. http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/2775 Threatened Pallid Sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus No critical habitat has been designated for this species. http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/7162 Endangered NAME STATUS Colorado Butterfly Plant Gaura neomexicana var. coloradensis There is a final critical habitat designated for this species. Your location is outside the designated critical habitat. http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6110 Threatened North Park Phacelia Phacelia formosula No critical habitat has been designated for this species. http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/123 Endangered Ute Ladies'-tresses Spiranthes diluvialis No critical habitat has been designated for this species. http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/2159 Threatened IPaC: Explore Location Page 3 of 11 https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/location/XGJBLPGC5VATFC4OTVVTWTEJLA/resources 1/19/2017 Insects Mammals Critical habitats Potential effects to critical habitat(s) in this location must be analyzed along with the endangered species themselves. THERE ARE NO CRITICAL HABITATS AT THIS LOCATION. Western Prairie Fringed Orchid Platanthera praeclara No critical habitat has been designated for this species. http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1669 Threatened NAME STATUS Arapahoe Snowfly Arsapnia arapahoe No critical habitat has been designated for this species. http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/9141 Candidate NAME STATUS Canada Lynx Lynx canadensis There is a final critical habitat designated for this species. Your location is outside the designated critical habitat. http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/3652 Threatened North American Wolverine Gulo gulo luscus No critical habitat has been designated for this species. http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/5123 Proposed Threatened Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse Zapus hudsonius preblei There is a final critical habitat designated for this species. Your location is outside the designated critical habitat. http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/4090 Threatened IPaC: Explore Location Page 4 of 11 https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/location/XGJBLPGC5VATFC4OTVVTWTEJLA/resources 1/19/2017 APPENDIX C CONCEPT DESIGN (Zapus hudsonius preblei) FT, ST Not likely to occur. Preble’s meadow jumping mouse inhabits well developed riparian habitat with adjacent, relatively undisturbed grassland communities, and a nearby water source. The project area does not contain riparian habitat and the adjacent section of Cache la Poudre River is along urban, disturbed area. Suitable habitat is not locally available * FT – federal threatened, FE – federal endangered, FPT – federal proposed threatened, FC – federal candidate, ST – state threatened, SE – state endangered. Sources: Belcher 2015; The Cornell Lab of Ornithology 2017; USFWS 2017c, 2017d, 2017e, 2017f, 2017g, 2017h, 2017i.