HomeMy WebLinkAboutWashington County transportation EAW comments wa shin ton Public Works Department
Donald J.Theisen, P.E.
�� Count Director
Wayne H.Sandberg, P.E.
Deputy Director/County Engineer
November 23, 2016
Stephen Wensman
Community Development Director
City of Lake Elmo
3600 Laverne Avenue North
Lake Elmo, Mn 55042
Re: Washington County Comments on Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the
Royal Golf Club Residential Development Project in the City of Lake Elmo
Dear Mr. Wensman
Thank you for the opportunity for Washington County to submit comments on the City of Lake
Elmo's Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for Royal Golf Club Residential
Development (Project) in Section 25, City of Lake Elmo, dated October 17, 2016. The Project is
located north of at County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 10/10th Street, south of 20th Street North,
west of Manning Trail North and east of CSAH 17/Lake Elmo Avenue. The project will convert
approximately 147.9 acres of golf course, woodland, ball fields, grassland, and wetland to 292
single-family residential lots. The project will involve grading, installation of public and private
infrastructure, open space preservation, tree clearing, and stormwater ponding. The project will
include approximately 90.8 acres of private open space consisting of woodland, stormwater
ponds, wetlands, grassland, and turf areas.
Washington County supports the City of Lake Elmo efforts to allow for the expansion of urban
services (MUSA) for the development of a variety of single family residential uses as well the
existing club house/banquet facility on the site.
The county has prepared the following comments in the context of the the Washington County
Comprehensive Plan 2030 and the Public Works Department transportation responsibilities to
ensure the health, safety and welfare of county residents, ensure environmental compliance,
and minimize environmental impacts.
11660 Myeron Road North, Stillwater, Minnesota 55082-9573
Phone: 651-430-4300 • Fax: 651-430-4350 • TTY: 651-430-6246
www.co.washington.mn.us
Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action
Page 2
November 23, 2016
Washington County Comments on EAW for Royal Golf Club Residential Development
Stephen Wensman, Planning Director
Section 8. Permits and Approvals Required
Any work in the county right-of way as it relates to the development including grading for the
installation of culverts, installation of water and sewer services, turn lane modifications, road
improvements, trails, Americans with Disability Act (ADA) ramp improvements will require a
right-of-way permit.
The county agrees that an access permit will be required for direct access to the site from CSAH
j 10/10t" Street and CSAH 17/Lake Elmo Avenue at the proposed locations since the project will
I be an intensification of land uses on the site. The developer has submitted turn-lane
modification plans for the intersections at CSAH 10/101" Street and CSAH 17/Lake Elmo Avenue
and county traffic staff will review and approve them as part of the access and right-of-way
E permit process.
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The County reserves the right to require additional improvements, as needed, as a condition of
these permits.
Section 9. Land Use
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Intensifying land uses within the Municipal Urban Service Areas (MUSA) is appropriate to
complement the existing golf course and club house use. The project site is located one mile
north of Interstate (1)-94 so regional access will provide an efficient connection to jobs and
services in Washington County and the Metropolitan Region. Access to the interstate system is
provided at the Manning& 1-94, and County 19 & 1-94 Interchanges. The result will be
increased traffic at both of these interchanges, which may result in the need for
improvements/upgrades to the interchange infrastructure. Most of these expected upgrades
will include a city cost share. It should be noted that the County has no plans for an
interchange at County 17 & 1-94.
The development implements the land use goals of the Washington County Comprehensive
Plan 2030, to design the land use plan to support economic development by the following
policies:
• Locate commercial and industrial growth where urban services are available; continue to
prohibit commercial and industrial land use in unsewered areas.
• Support land use patterns that efficiently connect housing,jobs, transportation, transit,
and retail and commercial centers.
11660 Myeron Road North, Stillwater, Minnesota 55082-9573
Phone: 651-430-4300 • Fax: 651-430-4350 • TTY: 651-430-6246
www.co.washington.mn.us
Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action
Page 3
November 23, 2016
Washington County Comments on EAW for Royal Golf Club Residential Development
Stephen Wensman, Planning Director
The development also implements the transportation goals of the Washington County
Comprehensive Plan 2030,to develop and maintain a roadway system that accommodates the
safe and efficient movement of people and goods. Strategies in the plan include the following:
• Increased lobs and Housing Concentrations:
o Plan for, design, and construct roadways to accommodate existing and future
traffic growth.
o Use effective transportation planning to accommodate existing and planned land
uses, while preserving natural, cultural, and historic resources.
o Develop a collaborative process with local municipalities to identify fiscally
responsible system improvements that are consistent with county priorities and
meet the needs of municipalities.
o Coordinate with other agencies to promote a well balanced transportation
system.
o Coordinate with communities and provide feedback on development and
redevelopment proposals.
Section 11.Water Resources
The county has not received nor reviewed a stormwater plan to date. The developer, city or
watershed district must submit the drainage report and calculations for review of any
downstream impacts to the county drainage system. Along with the drainage calculations,
written conclusions explaining that the volume and rate of stormwater run-off into any county
right-of way will not increase as part of the project, must be provided.
Section 17. Noise
Washington County's policy is to assist local governments in promoting compatibility between
land use and highways. Residential uses located adjacent to highways often result in
complaints about traffic noise. Traffic noise from adjacent highways could exceed noise
standards established by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA),the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Minnesota
Rule 7030.0030 states that municipalities are responsible for taking all reasonable measures to
prevent land use activities listed in the MPCA's Noise Area Classification (NAC) where the
establishment of the land use would result in violations of established noise standards.
Minnesota Statute 116.07, Subpart 2a exempts County Roads and County State Aid Highways
from noise thresholds.
11660 Myeron Road North, Stillwater, Minnesota 55082-9573
Phone: 651-430-4300 • Fax: 651-430-4350 • TfY: 651-430-6246
www.co.washington.mn.us
Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action
Page 4
November 23, 2016
Washington County Comments on EAW for Royal Golf Club Residential Development
Stephen Wensman, Planning Director
County policy regarding development adjacent to existing highways prohibits the expenditure
of highway funds for noise mitigation measures in such areas. The developer should assess the
noise situation and take any action outside of County right of way deemed necessary to
minimize the impact of any highway noise.
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Section 18.Transportation
The County agrees with the purpose of the Traffic Impact Study (TIS) dated October 12, 2016 to
determine if improvements are needed to nearby intersections that may be impacted by traffic
from the built out development.
The objectives of the study included the following:
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• Document how the study intersections currently operate.
0 Forecast the amount of traffic expected to be generated by the
proposed development.
• Determine how the study intersections will operate in the year 2030
with no development traffic.
• Determine how the study intersections will operate in the year 2030
with development traffic.
• Determine how the surrounding roadways will operate in the year
2030 with the proposed Development
• Recommend improvements, if needed.
i There was also agreement with the study intersections surrounding the site which included the
following:
1. Lake Elmo Avenue N/20th Street N.
2. 20th Street N/20th Street Court N.
j 3. 20th Street N/East Golf Course Access
4. 20th Street N/Manning Trail N.
5. Lake Elmo Avenue N/Park Access.
6. Manning Trail N/Manning Avenue N.
7. 20th Street N/Proposed Western Access
8. Manning Trail N/Proposed Access
9. CSAH 10/Proposed Access
The county appreciates that the northern intersection of Manning Avenue N/Manning Trail N
were analyzed and determined that a traffic signal would not be warranted at this location in
the 2030 scenerio.This was based on the future improvements to the Manning Avenue corridor
which includes a four-lane divided highway with traffic control improvements north and south
of this intersection.
11660 Myeron Road North, Stillwater, Minnesota 55082-9573
Phone: 651 A30-4300 • Fax: 651-430-4350 • TTY: 651-430-6246
www.co.washington.mn.us
Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action
Page 5
November 23, 2016
i Washington County Comments on EAW for Royal Golf Club Residential Development
! Stephen Wensman, Planning Director
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{ Also analyzed was the CSAH 10/1-ake Elmo Avenue intersection which currently operates as an
all way stop intersection with combined thru/lefts and exclusive right turn lanes at all
approaches. We accept the conclusion that this development will not require or drive the need
for additional traffic control or infrastructure improvements at this intersection. It should be
noted that there are no improvements programmed in the County's 5 Year CIP for this
intersection.
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There should be further conversations with the county on the current status of the identified
Regional Trail Corridor (Washington County Comprehensive Plan 2030) along CSAH 17/1-ake
Elmo Avenue. The County will be starting planning efforts, which include community outreach
i and engagement, for this segment of the Central Greenway Trail Master Plan. It is expected
this process will begin in 2017. Additionally,this corridor will be evaluated as part of the
Washington County Comprehensive Plan 2040 planning process.
It is noted that in the traffic analysis provided to the county,the future club house/banquet
facility and the commercial public use golf course traffic was not included. As a result, the
jtraffic study underestimates the total traffic impacts of this development. While it is true that
j the existing traffic volumes account for a portion of this, we understand the goal of the
developer is to increase use, and thus traffic impacts, of the club house/banquet site. Please
clarify how you will incorporate this expected increase in use into the traffic study.
If the comments in this letter are addressed in the EAW, the county does not feel the need for
the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the planned project; however,
future studies, environmental documentation, and mitigation measures will need to be
addressed as development occurs in the area.
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If you have any questions or comments to the responses on the Royal Golf Club EAW, please
contact me at Ann.pung-terwedo@co.washington.mn.us.
Sincerely,
Ann Pun -Terwedb
g
Senior Planner
c: Wayne Sandberg, County Engineer
Jan Lucke, Transit and Planning Manager
11660 Myeron Road North, Stillwater, Minnesota 55082-9573
Phone: 651-430-4300 • Fax: 651-430-4350 • TTY: 651-430-6246
www.co.washington.mn.us
Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action