09-13-07 Planning Comm. Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page Two Joel Hanson August 27, 2007 Item 8 -Permits and Approvals Required (Regan Carlson, 651-602-1407) The number of jobs was not specified in the EAW. As this development goes forward it will generate new jobs, likely above the Council's 2030 employment forecast for Little Canada. Projected employment should be specified in the future comprehensive plan amendment. It is estimated that the development could generate between 1500 and 2000 jobs, based on information about Phase I in the EAW, and standard employment generation ratios for this type of development. The City's employment, at 6,573 for 2Q 2006, is already above the Metropolitan Council's 2010 employment forecast, and is only about 700 short of its 2030 forecast. Before submitting its 2008 comprehensive plan update for Metropolitan Council review, the City should review the City's employment forecasts with Council staff and agree upon appropriate revisions to be reflected in the update. Item 11-Fish, Wildlife, and Ecologically Sensitive Resources (Jim Larsen, 651-602- 1159) The document indicates that approximately 50 percent of the existing 23 acres of forested cover on the site is proposed to be eliminated as the site is developed. Much of its removal will be to accommodate new building sites and storm water detention and treatment. However, Figures 3 and Sb show a significant portion of the existing woodlands on steep slopes of 12 to 25 percent proposed to be removed simply to convert areas to lawn/landscaping. The Council encourages the project proposer to preserve more of the existing woodlands on the site as it is developed. This would preserve more of the site's existing natural habitat and maintain wooded cover on steep slope areas in order to reduce site runoff volume and minimize the area needed for storm water basin construction. Site development as proposed will significantly fragment the remaining wooded cover on the site. A vegetation survey of the wooded portions of the site outside of the new building footprints should be carried out by the proposer to identify opportunities for preservation and restoration of higher quality wooded areas. Item 18 -Water Quality: Wastewaters (Roger Janzig, 651-602-1119) Metropolitan Disposal System facilities serving this site have adequate capacity for the proposed project. Item 21-Traffic (Ann Braden, 651-602-1705) Traffic congestion from St. Jude's can be mitigated by constructing a second turn lane for the westbound to southbound left turn at the Rice Street/CR B2 intersection. This will require reconstruction of the traffic signal to accommodate the wider roadway approach and new signal phase. V:\REVIEWS\Communities\Little Canada\Letters\LitCle Canada 2007 Stlude EAW 20059-1.doc