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• • • AGENDA ITEM 7A STAFF ORIGINATOR: Michael Grochala C. C. MEETING DATE: November 10, 2003 TOPIC: Resolution 03 -204 Approving Distribution of the Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the Legacy at Woods Edge (Village) Project ACTION REQUIRED: 3/5 vote BACKGROUND The Hartford Group, in conjunction with the City of Lino Lakes, is proposing to develop the City's "Village" Master Plan. The "Legacy at Woods Edge" project is a mixed use development, located in the southeast quadrant of I -35W and Lake Drive (County State Aid Highway 23). The project includes up to approximately 350,000 square feet of retail, service and office uses and 450 multi - family residential units. Also incorporated into the site development is the YMCA. The development, as proposed, does require the preparation of an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW). Rules written by the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board describe the requirements for the environmental review. These rules were written to implement MN Statute 116D, the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act. 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 Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB). It is a list of questions that must be completed based on the project specifics. Approving the EAW for distribution does not mean that the City is approving the project. On the contrary, once the EAW process has been initiated, the project cannot be started and no governmental entity can make a final decision on the project until the environmental review process is completed. After the public comment period, the City decides if it has enough information to determine if the project will cause significant environmental effects. If it will not cause such effects, the City makes a "negative declaration" meaning that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not necessary. If the review process reveals, in the judgement of the City, that the project will cause significant environmental effects, the City makes a "positive declaration" meaning an EIS is necessary.