2004-147 Council Resolution - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • STAFF ORIGINATOR: CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: TOPIC: ACTION REQUIRED: BACKGROUND AGENDA ITEM 6G Michael Grochala October 12, 2004 Consideration of Resolution No. 04 -147 Authorizing Commencement of Environmental Review Study for the I -35E Corridor Simple Majority The City's Comprehensive Plan guides the I -35E corridor area for a variety of land uses including low, medium and high density residential, commercial, industrial and rural land uses. Recently approved, as well as proposed, development projects along this corridor have initiated discussions regarding transportation, stormwater management, land use compatibility and other development related impacts. It is anticipated that development interests along the corridor will continue to increase as transportation infrastructure is improved and surrounding communities continue to grow at their current pace. The proposed Hardwood Creek development, located northwest of the Main Street/I- 35E interchange is one example. While this proposed 360 acre development provides an opportunity to master plan a large area, the site is relatively small when compared to the long term development potential of the I -35E corridor. While the proposal will likely require some level of environmental review, it is staffs opinion that the City would benefit from a more comprehensive examination of the surrounding area. The City Council goals, adopted in June of 2004, included the direction to begin Master Planning of the I -35E corridor. These goals are also supported by the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) Action Plan identifying the need to master plan the corridor. In conjunction with these, staff has viewed the Hardwood Creek development as an opportunity to leverage public and private dollars to complete a more comprehensive study of the corridor area. City staff has received a proposal from Dahlgren, Shardlow & Uban, Inc. (DSU), a leading planning and landscape architecture firm in the state, to complete an Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) for the proposed area along the eastern side of the city encompassing approximately 4,000 acres. The geographic area was based on identified growth areas, rural land uses, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park, and the I -35E, I -35W and County Road 14 transportation corridors. The AUAR process gives the City the opportunity to assess the impact of potential