05/29/2001 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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STAFF ORIGINATOR: P & Z MEETING DATE: TOPIC: AGENDA ITEM 7 F Jeff Smyser May 29, 2001 Resolution 01 -71 Approving for Distribution the Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the Lino Lakes Marketplace ACTION REQUIRED: 3/5 vote BACKGROUND Minnesota state statutes require environmental review for certain projects. Rules written by the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB) describe the requirements for the environmental review. These rules were written to implement MN Statute 116D, the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act. City staff have reviewed the information submitted by the project proposer on the Lino Lakes Marketplace project. This project includes a Target Superstore, Kohl's, and approximately 35,000 sf of smaller retail buildings. Staff has amended the information and is comfortable recommending that the EAW be distributed for public comment. Environmental Review Process The rules state that when specified types of projects reach a specified size, they cross a threshold for mandatory environmental review. Environmental review starts with an environmental assessment worksheet (EAW). An EAW is defined as a brief document which is designed to set out the basic facts necessary to determine whether an environmental impact statement (EIS) is necessary. The EAW form was created by the EQB. It is a list of questions that must be completed based on the project specifics. Briefly, the project proposer submits information for the EAW. The City then reviews the submitted information for accuracy and completeness. Then the EAW is distributed and made available for public review. A public comment period of 30 days follows. Approving the EAW for distribution means that the City is comfortable that the document is accurate and complete to the best of its knowledge. There is no other commitment or hidden implication regarding approval of the project in making the decision to distribute the document. Approving the EAW for distribution does not mean that the City is approving the project. On the contrary, if a project requires an EAW, the project cannot be started and no governmental entity can make a final decision on the project until the environmental review process is completed.