08-08-2022 City Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM 6A STAFF ORIGINATOR: Michael Grochala, Community Development Director MEETING DATE: August 8, 2022 TOPIC: Consider Resolution No. 22-85, Approving Distribution of Environmental Assessment Worksheet for Robinson Sod Farms VOTE REQUIRED: 3/5 INTRODUCTION Staff is requesting authorization to distribute the Robinson Sod Farm EAW for public comment. BACKGROUND Integrate Properties, LLC (Developer) is proposing a residential development project on approximately 158 acres abutting Main Street (CSAH 14) and Sunset Avenue (CR 53) in the northwest quadrant of the City. The property is guided for low, medium and high density residential uses in the City's 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The City Council reviewed a development concept plan for the property in February of this year. Due to the proposed number of residential units, preparation of an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) is required by Minnesota Rules. The process operates according to rules adopted by the state's Environmental Quality Board (EQB). The EAW document is designed to provide a brief analysis and overview of the potential environmental impacts for a specific project and to help the City, referred to as the Responsible Government Unit (RGU), determine whether an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is necessary. The questions contained within the document are established by the EQB. The EAW is not meant to approve or disapprove a project, but is simply a source of information to guide other approvals and permitting decisions. In fact it is one of the advantages to larger scale development projects. Preparation of the EAW will help inform the design of the project before the submittal of a formal development application. The information provided in the EAW was prepared by the development team and reviewed by City Staff and the City's Engineer WSB and Associates and determined to be complete. The next step in the process is for the City Council to authorize distribution of the document for public comment. A notice of the documents availability will be published in the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) Monitor and notification sent to specified public agencies. The document will be available on the City website for review. The public comment period lasts for 30 days. During that period all interested parties may submit written comments to the City. At the end of the 30 day period, the City reviews all of the public comments, as well as the content of the EAW to determine whether the project needs further changes or analysis. The City will prepare a written response to all substantive comments received during the public comment period.