02-10-1997 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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February 3,1997 Spring Hill EAW Page 3 Staff Review of EAW Copies of the draft EAW and appendices were submitted to staff the week of January 21-24. Staffs first chance to review this was at a meeting with Marshal Braman of Schoell and Madson, Inc. (Spring Hill’s consultants) on Monday, January 27. Loren Kohnen, Medina’s staff representative, was also in attendance. We reviewed the 18-page EAW line by line, with staff providing an initial reaction to the wording and conclusions suggested by Braman. Note that the EAW document included in your packet rather massive because it contains many appendices; the EAW itself is only 18 pages in length. As of this writing staff has had a chance to further review the EAW document and would make the following comments or suggestions: Items I thru 8: These arc factual statements about the nature and magnitude of the project. Item 9: Staff agrees w ith the description of current and recent land use as well as the statement that the use is in accordance w ith the Orono Comprehensive Plan, specifically with CMP Rural Land Use Policy 2 which states "Orono’s rural ser\ ice area provides the opportunity for quasi-agricultural land uses. Greenhouses, orchards, truck forms, riding stables and recreation areas such as large golf courses and park reser\'es are not possible in more crowded urban areas but they are compatible with rural residential properties." Item 10: These are facts regarding ’before’ and ’afier’ acreages of cover types. Item 11: The fisheries information was supplied by the DNR for Long Lake. It should be noted that the Spring Hill site ultimately drains to Long Lake and though it is near Lydiard Lake, does not drain to Lydiard. Item 11 also lists wildlife types found near the site, and and notes the anticipated impacts on wildlife. This item also identifies the site’s pro.ximity to the two Big Woods Scientific and Natural Areas (Wolsfcld and Wood-Rill). The comment that indicates 'The golf course design avoids big woods impacts to the degree practical" makes a factual statement based on the proposed use, and should not be construed as a conclusion that the City accepts the impacts. Item 12: This item makes factual statements about the extent of proposed physical impacts on water resources, and includes data about Long Lake. Item 13: This item makes factual statements about the expected water use related to the golf course construction and operation. Item 14: This item makes factual statements regarding water-related regulatory districts affecting the project site. L