2003-044 Council Resolution - Laserfiche WebLink

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Eagle Brook Church April 14, 2003 page 2 4410.1700 DECISION ON NEED FOR EIS. Subpart 1. Standard for decision on need for EIS. An EIS shall be ordered for projects that have the potential for significant environmental effects. Subp. 7. Criteria. In deciding whether a project has the potential for significant environmental effects, the following factors shall be considered: A. type, extent, and reversibility of environmental effects; B. cumulative potential effects of related or anticipated future projects; C. the extent to which the environmental effects are subject to mitigation by ongoing public regulatory authority; and D. the extent to which environmental effects can be anticipated and controlled as a result of other available environmental studies undertaken by public agencies or the project proposer, including other EISs. Heron Rookery: The heron rookery on the island in Peltier Lake is a wonderful and important natural resource. While unusual activity is believed to affect the rookery by disturbing the birds, it is impossible to say specifically what has caused the abandonment of nests in recent years. The church building site itself is over 2500 feet from the rookery island. The property on which the church is proposed borders the lake, but the western portion of the property will be left largely undisturbed. The closest construction work would be about 2000 feet from the island. This would include a new stormwater pond, grading, and the onsite septic system. The heavily wooded area along the lake and the wetland within the woods will not be disturbed. The church has expressed interest in participating in a cooperative effort to continue providing nesting forage on the church property. The Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources stated in its letter that "Based on the DNR's perspective, this project does not require preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)." The DNR is the agency with the greatest expertise on the herons and the rookery. Since the DNR does not believe the project warrants an EIS, there's no reason to require an EIS based on potential impacts on the rookery. Traffic and Roadways: The traffic generated by the proposed church would be greatest on Sundays, with other large events occurring irregularly. The peak generation would be 2240 trips (1120 in, 1120 out). During the week, traffic would be much less. If the site were to develop with single family residential homes, a quick, conservative estimate of traffic generated would be 1300 trips per weekday. The total traffic generation would be higher with residential development. This is not to discount residents' concern over additional traffic. However, additional traffic will occur with or without the church. In fact, the existing transportation infrastructure is inadequate to handle the development planned by the communities of Lino Lakes, Hugo, and Columbus Twp., not to mention possible development in