HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP 181H; Home2 Carlsbad Suites; BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES SURVEY; 2016-03-02L SA LSA ASSOCIATES, INC.
703 PALOMAR AIRPORT ROAD
SUITE 260
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA 921lll
March 2, 2016
Stan Weiler, AICP, Principal
Howes Weiler & Associates
2888 Loker A venue East, Suite 217
Carlsbad, California 92010
760,931.5471 TEL
760.918.2458 FAX
BERKELEY
FRESNO
IRVINE
PALM SPRINGS
PT. RICHMOND
RIVERSIDE
ROCKLIN
SAN LUIS OBISPO
MAR 18 2016
Subject: Biological Resources Survey Results for the Home2 Hilton Hotel Project (LSA Project
No. HWE1601)
Dear Mr. Weiler:
Per your request, LSA Associates, Inc. (LSA) conducted a general biological resources survey at the
proposed Home2 Hilton Hotel Project site located northeast of the intersection of Palomar Airport
Road and Palomar Oaks Way in the City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California (attached Figure
1). This letter summarizes the survey methods and existing conditions present at the project site.
METHODS
LSA senior biologist Jaime Morales conducted the biological resources survey on February 24, 2016.
He walked the entire 3.85 acre study area and documented general site conditions and vegetation
communities occurring at the site. Mr. Morales delineated the boundaries of the vegetation
communities on an aerial photograph (scale of 1 inch = 50 feet), as shown in attached Figure 2.
FINDINGS
Vegetation
The study area consists entirely of previously graded, but otherwise undeveloped land adjacent to
commercial development to the north, east, and west. Palomar Airport Road is located south of and
adjacent to the site. The majority of the study area consists of disturbed habitat dominated by the
following nonnative species: African daisy (Gerbera sp.), Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), red
brome (Bromus madritensis), ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus), long-beak filaree (Erodium cicutarium),
and tocalote (Centaurea melitensis). Small, emergent coastal sage scrub species (deer weed [Acmispon
glaber], coyote brush [Baccharis pilularis], and laurel sumac [Malosma laurina]) are scattered
throughout the site but do not constitute coastal sage scrub habitat due to the small size and sparsely
scattered nature of the individual shrubs. Several mature eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sp.) trees are present
along the western, eastern, and southern perimeters of the study area. Ornamental vegetation (i.e.,
nonnative shrubs and trees typically associated with landscaping) occurs throughout the perimeter of the
study area. Peruvian peppertree (Schinus molle), acacia (Acacia sp.), red apple (Aptenia cordifolia), and
a few coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) trees represent the ornamental vegetation within the study area.
The coast live oak trees on site are so few, sparsely scattered, and isolated that they do not constitute or
serve the function of coast live oak woodland habitat. Table A displays the approximate area of each
vegetation community that will be affected by the proposed project.
(3/2/2016) P:\HWEI601-Home2 By Hilton\Biology\Bio Resources Survey Letter-Revised_3-I-16.Docx
PLANNING I ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES I DESIGN
LSA ASSOCIATES, INC.
No special-status plant species were observed within the study area during the survey.
Table A: Vegetation Community Impacts within the Grading Limits
Vegetation Commnnities Impact Acreage
Eucalyptus Woodland* 0.19
Ornamental Vegetation 0.21
Disturbed Habitat * 2.19
Total Acres 2.59
* Group F Habitat as described in Table 11 of the City Habitat Management Plan (Page D-113).
Wildlife
Wildlife species detected within or in the vicinity of the study area include American crow (Corvus
brachyrhynchos), Anna's hummingbird (Calypte anna), California towhee (Melozone crissalis),
house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus), and northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos).
No special-status wildlife species were detected during the survey.
Potentially Jurisdictional Waters and Streambeds/Banks
There are no potentially jurisdictional waters or streambed/banks within the study area.
MITIGATION
For the purpose of this analysis, the 2.59 acres within the grading limits depicted in Figure 2 indicate
which portions of the study area will be affected by construction-related activities. Impacts to
eucalyptus woodland and disturbed habitat (both Habitat Group F, per the City of Carlsbad Habitat
Management Plan) would require a per-acre in-lieu mitigation fee in an amount to be determined by
the City Council.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at (760) 931-5471 or Jaime.morales@lsa.net if you have any
questions or require further information.
Sincerely,
LSA ASSOCIATES, INC.
(~ .... '?'::~------.
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~--.-.•. _ __.r' J a1me-Morales
Senior Biologist/Project Manager
Attachments: Figures 1 and 2
(3/2/2016) P:\HWE1601-Home2 By Hilton\Biology\Bio Resources Survey Letter-Revised_3-1-16.Docx 2
L SA LEGEND
U II Project Location
1000 2000
FEET
SOURCE: USGS 7.5' Quad -Encinitas (1975), CA
1:\HWE 160 1\GIS\Projectlocation_USGS.mxd (2fl6120 16)
FIG URE I
Home2 Hotel by Hilton Project
Project Location
L SA
50 100
FEET
SOURCE: Bing Maps (2014)
LEGEND
D ..... ..... Project Study Area
Daylight Line
R:\HWE 160 1\GIS\VegMap_Update.mxd (3/112016)
Existing Vegetation (3.85 acres)
Eucalyptus Woodland (0.82 acres)
Ornamental Vegetation (0.84 acres)
Disturbed Habitat (2.19 acres)
FIGURE2
Home2 Hotel by Hilton Project
Existing Vegetation