Laserfiche WebLink
March 28, 2017 <br />Bryan Bear, Administrator <br />City of Hugo <br />14669 Fitzgerald Ave. N <br />Hugo, MN 55038 <br />RE: City of Hugo Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) — Adelaide Landing <br />Metropolitan Council Review No. 21689-1 <br />Metropolitan Council District No. 11 <br />Dear Mr. Bear: <br />The Metropolitan Council received the EAW for the Adelaide Landing project in Hugo on February 23, <br />2017. The proposed project is generally located east of TH 61 and north of 130th Street N. The proposed <br />development consists of a total of 324 housing units (182 single family lots, 51 detached townhomes, 91 <br />villa homes) on approximately 217.5 acres for a gross density of 1.5 units per acre. <br />The staff review finds that the EAW is complete and accurate with respect to regional concerns and does <br />not raise major issues of consistency with Council policies. An EIS is not necessary for regional purposes. <br />In addition, we offer the following comments for your consideration. <br />Item 9.a.ii — Plans (Raya Esmaeili, 651-602-1616) <br />The EAW indicates, in the Land Use section, that the net density of the proposed development is <br />2.4 units per acre. While the density is consistent with the land use guiding, the details of this <br />calculation are unclear. The Council will confirm and adjust the calculation, when the approved <br />plat is submitted as part of the Plat Monitoring Program. <br />Item 9.a.ii — Plans (Raya Esmaeili, 651-602-1616) <br />The EAW indicates that the Hugo Comprehensive Plan must address local issues and be <br />consistent with the 2030 Regional Development Framework as a developing community. While <br />the development and adoption of the City's 2030 Comprehensive Plan occurred in accordance <br />with the 2030 Regional Development Framework, any land use and plan changes need to also be <br />consistent with the current regional development guide, Thrive MSP 2040 and Hugo's <br />designation as Diversified Rural and Emerging Suburban Edge. <br />Item 13A — Fish, Wildlife, Plant Communities, and Sensitive Ecological Resources (Rare <br />Features) (Jim Larsen, 651-602-1159) <br />A significant number of natural wetlands and constructed surface water basins will be present on <br />the developed site. The EAW indicates that Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), a state - <br />listed threatened species has been sighted within the project boundaries. Council staff encourages <br />specifying the utilization of sloping, surmountable curbs for all roadways to be constructed within <br />the development. The use of standard, near -vertical B424 or similar curbing can entrap turtles <br />within roadways as they pass between wetland basins and potential nearby habitat areas, can lead <br />to high mortality rates. This simple design change to use a more gently sloping curb will reduce <br />the fauna mortality risk without impacts to storm water flow, driver and pedestrian safety, or <br />METROPOLITAN <br />C 0 U N C I L <br />