2001-098 Council Resolution - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minnesota Department of Natural Resources • DNR expresses concern over the impacts on wetlands, stating that filling wetlands for a parking lot raises questions about the appropriateness of the site for the project as defined. DNR notes that Wetland A, at the edge of the site, is a logical candidate for avoidance, and that there must be an alternative design scenario. DNR also notes that the EAW states that the fill is necessary due to the central location of the wetland in the most visible area of freeway frontage. DNR questions how this meets wetland sequencing requirements under the Wetland Conservation Act. City response: The City has intended that the site be developed for extensive retail use and has planned and zoned it for such uses for many years. The site is within a larger City Center planning area intended for the development of a central business district, or "downtown." The project site is the best location in the City for extensive retail development such as the proposed project. The City recognizes that wetlands will be impacted on the site, and recognizes the need to comply with the Wetlands Conservation Act, including sequencing and mitigation requirements. The Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) is the Local Governmental Unit under the Minnesota Wetlands Conservation Act. The project applicant has submitted a sequencing analysis and mitigation plan to the RCWD. The City of Lino Lakes relies on the RCWD for administration of the requirements of the Wetlands Conservation Act. The City will require that RCWD approval is obtained as a condition of City approval of the project. • DNR also states that even though Wetland B is not directly impacted, changing water levels in the stormwater pond (Wetland A) is likely to influence groundwater levels in Wetland B. City response: The area covered by Wetland B is much greater than that covered by Wetland A—five to seven times greater. It is unlikely that water levels in Wetland A will influence Wetland B. • DNR recommends that trees that are removed should be used for commercial forest products and not just piled and burned. City response: The City will convey this suggestion to the developer. • DNR also states that the tree preservation plan Exhibit K does not provide sufficient readable information to be able to determine the proposed tree preservation plans. DNR notes that if the City does not have tree mitigation/replacement guidelines, then it is difficult for the project proposer to know whether they have met the goals and objectives of the City. Responses to Comments On Lino Lakes Marketplace EAW page 5 of 11