10-03-2022 Council Work Session Packet

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WS – Item 2 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item No. 2 Date: October 3, 2022 To: City Council From: Michael Grochala, Community Development Director Re: Robinson Farm EAW Record of Decision Background The Robinson Sod Farm Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) was approved for distribution by the City Council on August 8, 2022. The document was filed with the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB) and circulated for review and comments to the required EAW distribution list. A Notice of Availability was published in the EQB Monitor on Tuesday, August 16, 2022. Notice was also provided to properties within 600 feet of the proposed project. The thirty day comment period closed on September 15, 2022. The City received a number of written comments from agencies and citizens. The City must respond to every substantive comment. Substantive comments are comments that address the accuracy and completeness of the materials contained in the EAW, potential impacts that may warrant further investigation before the project is commenced, and the need for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposed project. The City’s response to substantive comments received during the comment period are included in the attached draft Record of Decision document. 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. Minnesota Rule 4410.177, Subpart 2 requires the City to make either a negative declaration or a positive declaration on the need for an EIS. The City shall base its decision regarding the need for an EIS on the information gathered during the EAW process and the comments received on the EAW. In doing so, the City must prepare a record of decision that includes the information supporting the decision. Minnesota Rules 4410.1700, Subp. 7 lists four criteria that shall be considered in deciding whether a project has the potential for significant environmental effects. Those criteria are: A. Type, extent, and reversibility of environmental effects;