04/29/2020 Environmental Board Minutes

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Enivonmental Board Minutes April 29, 2020 Page 2 APPROVED MINUTES VI. ACTION ITEMS – A. I-35E Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) 5 Year Update Mr. Grochala, Community Development Director, presented the AUAR report and Andi Moffat of WSB and Associates was available for comments The City of Lino Lakes adopted the I-35E Corridor AUAR in conformance with Minnesota Rules 4410 in 2005. The City has subsequently updated the AUAR every five years. The AUAR study area is approximately 4,500 acres and is located in the northeastern portion of the City. The original I-35E AUAR was a very comprehensive document covering the City’s 35E corridor from Birch Street to our northern city limits. The most significant developments over the past five years are the 372 acre Watermark residential development and the 402,000 square foot Distribution Alternatives fulfillment center on 21st Avenue. Each of these projects were subject to the mitigation requirements of the AUAR including but not limited to transportation and water management improvements. As long as a development project is consistent with the assumptions of the analyses in the AUAR, no additional environmental review is required. A key component of the AUAR is the mitigation plan that addresses cumulative impacts of development as the corridor develops. In order to remain valid, the AUAR must be revised under certain criteria. Development in the study area will require infrastructure improvements. The analysis for the storm water, water, wastewater, and traffic have been updated as part of this AUAR Update. So far the infrastructure improvements include 35E interchange, extending 21st Ave and 20th /73rd turn Board Comments Mr. Sullivan asked if there was any discussion of light pollution especially in the industrial area. Ms. Moffat stated in the state environmental review process guidance is provided but light pollution is not required in this type of study. Mr. Grochala mentioned that this has always been a high propriety issue. We do include down cast lighting in our development plans. Mr. Sullivan stated in the in the initial 2005 AUAR study it states that conservative testing methods were used. Why it is stated that conservative methods were used.