HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-204 Council ResolutionCITY OF LINO LAKES
RESOLUTION NO 03-204
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE DISTRIBUTION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET FOR THE LEGACY AT WOODS EDGE
WHEREAS, MN Rules 4410 establishes the requirements for the preparation of an
Environmental Assessment Worksheets (EAW); and
WHEREAS, the City has initiated an environmental review to determine if a project has
the potential for significant environmental effects, as required by MN Rules, Chapter
4410.4300, Subpart 14.; and
WHEREAS, the City has prepared the EAW based on data submitted by the project
proposer and determined to the best of the City's knowledge that the EAW is complete
and accurate;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lino Lakes City Council approves the
distribution of the Legacy at Woods Edge EAW for public comment.
Adopted by the Lino Lakes City Council this 10th day of November, 2003.
ATTEST:
es n, Mayor
Ann Blair, Citi Clerk
J
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 1160,
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.
It should be noted that the EAW process does not replace nor eliminate the need for the
required review and approval of detailed plans, for a specific project, in accordance with
City, County, Watershed District, or State requirements. An EAW is defined as "a brief
document which is designed to set out the basic facts necessary to determine whether
an EIS is required for a proposed action".
The City retained the services of Short, Elliott, Hendrickson, Inc., (SEH) to prepare the
EAW. The City's Environmental Board will be reviewing the document on November 6,
2003. The Environmental Board's recommendation along with any proposed
modifications will be distributed to the Council prior to the November 10. council
meeting.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff is recommending approval of Resolution 03-109 authorizing distribution of the
Legacy at Woods Edge EAW.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution No. 03-204