Laserfiche WebLink
ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING NOVEMBER 6, 2003 <br />Chair Kukonen inquired if Council had received the document. Grochala <br />responded that Council had seen the document. <br />Chair Kukonen clarified that the Board would not be recommending action, but <br />was reviewing for accuracy and completeness of the document. <br />Mr. Moberg noted after the response period, then a decision would be made. <br />Kukonen clarified the decision made would be on the EAW, not the project itself. <br />Mr. Moberg indicated the information given was based on the worst-case <br />scenario, or the grandest scale, and could conceivably be scaled down from there. <br />The market analysis was not finished. Grochala clarified that the worst case was <br />the most intense development. If the square footage would be reduced, the second <br />or third stories of buildings would be removed. The potential impact changes <br />would occur in traffic and the number of parking spaces. <br />Mr. Moberg pointed out the townhomes, explaining the buildings around central <br />park would be 3-4 stories and the buildings would decrease in height as one goes <br />out from there. They had also been working with the architects with the YMCA. <br />Grochala added it was an attempt to create an urban feel that would be pedestrian <br />friendly. The YMCA kept expanding their parking lot, until the City requested <br />shared parking as an option. This reduces the number of parking spaces by 400, <br />and constituted a 20 % reduction across the board. Much of the parking for the <br />project would be underground. <br />Mr. Moberg stated that the height of the building would be adjusted for the <br />underground parking, in order to stay above the high water level. The YMCA <br />wanted the parking in front, so they were planning to move the building back with <br />the parking away from the street. Grochala stated the YMCA wanted the parking <br />in front, but that value was driven by the consumers. <br />Mr. Moberg noted there was a trail along the parkway to go West between the <br />ponding and the wetland, flowing into the park. <br />Chair Kukonen inquired about a bridge over Interstate 35W. Grochala answered <br />that there were no plans for an update, but possibly later. <br />Mr. Moberg referred to a simulation model that was being designed to show a <br />realignment of the freeway ramps . and signals. The traffic study was finished, but <br />the simulation model would be finished soon so MNDOT would have it when the <br />EAW was reviewed. The goal was to show the traffic was growing without the <br />presence of the development. Grochala added he confirmed it with Doug Fisher <br />they were glad it would be included. <br />2 APPROVED MII�UTE�-- <br />