#04 - RFP for Land - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Page - 2 | March 3, 2022 | METROPOLITAN COUNCIL • TAZ #2351 will grow by +4 households and will have zero employment during 2020-2040. • TAZ #2389 will lose -96 households and -310 population; and will grow by +800 jobs during 2020-2040. Should the City pursue scenarios 1, 2, or 3, Lake Elmo would need to request MUSA extension and amend its comprehensive plan. The Metropolitan Council would also expect a households, population and employment forecast increase; and revised forecast allocations for Transportation Analysis Zones #2351 and #2389. (None of this is needed for Scenario 4.) Land Use (Jake Reilly, 651-602-1822): As stated in the AUAR, scenarios 1 through 3 are not consistent with the City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan. In order to pursue those scenarios, the City would need to submit an amendment to the City’s Land Use plan along with a request for a MUSA extension and adjustments (increases) to forecasts. A Master Plan for the AUAR study area was completed by the City in 2020. Development Scenarios 2 and 3 propose land use changes to the area, including increased density of residential uses. Because the City of Cottage Grove is a Suburban Edge community as described in Thrive MSP 2040, residential densities for new development and redevelopment must be built at a minimum of three units per acre. Natural Resources (Eric Wojchik, 651-602 -1330): The development layout in Scenario 2 represents a more compact, efficient use of land and infrastructure, with a mix of uses, therefore preserving areas of open space for wildlife habitat and recreation. The three other scenarios would likely create higher VMT and emissions due to reduced traffic connectivity and less efficient use of the land. These environmental and infrastructure considerations should be taken into account in determining the appropriate development scenario. Transit (Stephen Baisden, 612-349-7361) No bus stops are located within walking distance of any residential land uses proposed within the various development scenarios and the AUAR does not include enough information to identify if pedestrian facilities are proposed within the development. Additional sidewalks should be considered, as well as providing sidewalks within the proposed development site to facilitate safe pedestrian access. Right-of-way should be set aside for the eventual construction of sidewalks if they are not planned to be constructed with the proposed development. Long-term, the METRO Gold Line is planned to offer all-day transit service between downtown Saint Paul and Woodbury; 3.5 miles south at the Helmo Avenue Station. Additional expansion of the transit system will be considered by means of connecting local bus routes within Lake Elmo to the METRO Gold Line. Given the current and planned transit investments in the area and the lower residential density that exists in this area now, this draft AUAR may have a marginal impact on the existing transit network depending on which development scenario is chosen (but not enough to warrant implementation of new transit service). This draft AUAR should not expect additional expansion of the existing transit network. Item 10. Geology, Soils, and Topography/Land Forms (Eric Wojchik, 651-602 -1330): Item 10b states that earthwork on the study area south of 34th Street North is anticipated to generally balance and be kept onsite. The proposed project will require approximately 500,000 total cubic yards of excavation. This section of the EAW does not include detail or mitigation regarding the steep slopes (12-18% gradient, with some areas exceeding 18% gradient) on the