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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM 6C STAFF ORIGINATOR: Michael Grochala MEETING DATE: November 12, 2019 TOPIC: Consider Resolution No. 19-150, Authorizing Professional Services Contract with WSB, 35E Corridor AUAR Five Year Update VOTE REQUIRED: 3/5 INTRODUCTION Staff is requesting City Council authorization to enter into a contract with WSB and Associates to update the I-35E Corridor AUAR. BACKGROUND The I-35E Corridor Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) is an environmental review document that analyzed potential impacts of development within a study area of 4,660 acres. The final document was originally adopted by the Lino Lakes City Council on October 24, 2005. The AUAR serves as a substitute environmental review. As long as a development project is consistent with the assumptions of the analyses in the AUAR, no additional environmental review is required. In order to remain valid as a substitute form of environmental review, the AUAR must be revised under certain criteria. One of the criteria is the passing of five years. The AUAR serves as both an important economic development tool as well as a comprehensive framework for mitigating possible environmental impacts of development. The AUAR was last updated in October of 2015. Since that time the City has amended the Comprehensive Plan for the corridor as well as prepared the 2040 Comprehensive Plan update. New development has also begun to take place within the corridor including Main Street Shoppes, Northpointe and Watermark. Additionally, the update will allow for the City to accommodate any considerations to further facilitate the Minnesota Technology Corridor along 35E. WSB and Associates have prepared a proposal to complete the update in the amount of $33,272. Funding for this project is included in the Professional Services line item of the Economic Development, Planning and Zoning and Engineering budgets as well as the Water, Sanitary, and Surface Water Management funds. The City does collect an AUAR fee of $269 per acre for all new development within the corridor to offset the administrative costs associated with the document. RECOMMENDATION Staff is recommending approval of Resolution No. 19-150.