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<br /> <br />Comment Response <br />Transit (Stephanie Baisden, 612-349-7361). No bus stops are located within walking <br />distance of any residential land uses proposed within the various development <br />scenarios and the AUAR does not include enough information to identify if pedestrian <br />facilities are proposed within the development. Additional sidewalks should be <br />considered, as well as providing sidewalks within the proposed development site to <br />facilitate safe pedestrian access. Right-of-way should be set aside for the eventual <br />construction of sidewalks if they are not planned to be constructed with the proposed <br />development. <br />Long-term, the METRO Gold Line is planned to offer all-day transit service between <br />downtown Saint Paul and Woodbury; 3.5 miles south at the Helmo Avenue Station. <br />Additional expansion of the transit system will be considered by means of connecting <br />local bus routes within Lake Elmo to the METRO Gold Line. <br />Given the current and planned transit investments in the area and the lower residential <br />density that exists in this area now, this draft AUAR may have a marginal impact on the <br />existing transit network depending on which development scenario is chosen (but not <br />enough to warrant implementation of new transit service). This draft AUAR should not <br />expect additional expansion of the existing transit network. <br />Comment noted. As redevelopment proposals <br />come forth for the northern half of the AUAR <br />study area, pedestrian and bicycle facilities will <br />be considered in relation to future development <br />and transit considerations. The City and Project <br />Proposers will coordinate transit options with <br />Met Council as development progresses in the <br />area. <br />Geology, Soils, and Topography/Land Forms (Item 10) <br />Eric Wojchik, 651-602-1330. Item 10b states that earthwork on the study area south of <br />34th Street North is anticipated to generally balance and be kept onsite. The proposed <br />project will require approximately 500,000 total cubic yards of excavation. This se ction <br />of the EAW does not include detail or mitigation regarding the steep slopes (12-18% <br />gradient, with some areas exceeding 18% gradient) on the parcel south of 34th Street, <br />which drains to the east. The EAW should consider mitigation to avoid or minimize <br />slope erosion, ensure establishment or retention of stabilizing vegetation, and avoid <br />placement of structures or land alterations near steep slopes. These measures should <br />apply to all four development scenarios. <br />Comment noted. The proposed development <br />within the study area south of 34th Street N will <br />require compliance with both the City’s and <br />Valley Branch Watershed District’s erosion and <br />sediment control standards.