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August 20, 2019 Page 5 The second stage is the Final PUD Plan which basically serves to implement the various conditions of Preliminary Plan approval and ensure that such conditions have been satisfied. The Final Plan will be subject to review and approval by the City Council. No public hearing is required for Final Plan. Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW). In May of 2019, an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) was completed for the redevelopment project under consideration by the City. The purpose of the EAW process is to disclose information about potential environmental impacts of a project. Information disclosed in the EAW process is intended to determine whether a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is needed and to indicate how the project can be modified to lessen its environmental impacts. In this regard, the EAW review considers the potential environmental impacts associated with the apartment building project, including issues associated with the demolition of the existing Walmart facilities. After receiving comments, the City Council adopted a resolution (Resolution 19-058) of “negative declaration” regarding the potential for significant environmental impacts. This action includes a series of mitigation steps that will be factored into project approval, and finds that no EIS is necessary. Comprehensive Plan. The City’s draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan is presently under review by the Metropolitan Council. The Metropolitan Council has classified St. Anthony Village as an “urban community.” “Urban communities” are expected to plan for forecasted population and household growth at average densities of at least 10 units per acre for new development and redevelopment. In addition, “urban communities” are expected to target opportunities for intensive development near regional transit investments. The City’s draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan identifies the former Walmart site as a priority redevelopment opportunity. Recognizing that the City is expected to accommodate an increase in population and that little to no vacant land presently exists, redevelopment of previously developed sites is considered the primary means of achieving the City’s residential density objectives. The Land Use Plan included in the draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan directs commercial use of the subject site. The Plan also notes however, that high density residential redevelopment (within Area 7) is specifically encouraged and allowed on the subject site. The 2040 Comprehensive Plan also establishes a desired density range of 20 to 40 units per acre for high density residential development. The applicant has proposed a residential density of 35.7 units per acre (464 dwelling units/13 acres) which is within the density range directed by the draft 2040 Plan. With the preceding in mind, the proposed redevelopment project is considered consistent with the City’s 2040Comprehensive Plan.