PC Packet 03.23.17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 5 B. Consistency with Ordinance Standards Environmental Review The applicant is proposing 319 new homes on this property. The minimum threshold for a mandatory Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) per MN State Statute is 250 units, therefore, an EAW is required. The developer has been working with City staff to prepare an EAW for the development. An EAW is a document that analyzes, at a preliminary level, the effects a development has on the environment in regards to land use, geology, water resources, wildlife, air, noise, and transportation. If it is deemed by the City, due to comments and concerns about the impacts to the environment, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) can be required by the City Council before the project can proceed. An EIS is a more in depth analysis of the property and the impacts to it. An EAW has been prepared, is complete, and has been sent out for public comment. There is a 30-day comment period, which ends on March 29, 2017. The EAW has been sent out to a number of Federal, State, and regional agencies as required by State Statute. The agencies will comment on specific items that should be considered when the property develops, or whether they recommend the preparation of an EIS. To date, no comments have been submitted. The City's zoning ordinance requires the Planning Commission to hold a public hearing. Notices have been published in the paper and sent to all owners of record within 700 feet of the development property informing them that an EAW has been submitted and is available for review and comment. Following the close of the comment period, the City staff will write formal responses to any of the comments received throughout the process, and the EAW will be forwarded to the City Council. The EAW is tentatively schooled for the April 17, 2017, City Council meeting. The City Council will be asked to make a determination about whether an EIS should be prepared for the project. Following review of the EAW, the developer may choose to proceed through the development review process. The developer may submit preliminary plat and PUD development applications prior to review of the EAW, but no formal approval by the City Council can be made on the project until the EAW process is complete. Staff would anticipate the developer to make changes to the plan to address the comments from the Commissions and City Council, as well as to address the comments generated through the EAW process. Rezoning/Planned Unit Development The use of the PUD zoning allows the developer zoning ordinance flexibility to create a master planned development. The PUD zoning is tied to a specific PUD general plan that is proposed with this application. Excelsior Group, is requesting an approval of a PUD for the Adelaide Landing development. PUD's offer enhanced flexibility to develop a site through the relaxation of zoning district