05-27-1997 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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■.....................r f^jfjkt- i/e^s/ou ^3^01 RECORD OF DECISION ON THE SPRING HILL GOLF CLUB PROJECI ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET WHEREAS, the Environmental Assessment Worksheet ("FJVW") for tlic Spring Hill Golf Club Project ("Project") has been reviewed by the City Council of the City of Orono, Minnesota ("City") to determine whether an Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS") is required for the Project; and WHERflAS, the City Council has reviewed the record in this matter, including the EAW, comments from governmental agencies and members of the public, responses to these comments, and reports of meetings between its staff and governmental agencies. Dosed on this review the City Council makes the following findings of fact and conclusions. FINDINGS OF FACT I. The EAW vs-as prepared in compliance with the procedures of the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act and Minnesota Rules Parts 4410.0200 to 4410.6500 (19<)3) as follows: a. The Proposer of the Project is Spring Hill Golf Club, a Minnesota Corporation (the "Proposer"). b. The project involves the creation and operation of an 18-hole private golf course. c. Tlie Project falls within the mandatory EAW category of Minn. Rules Pan 4410.4300, subp. 28 because the Project involves the permanent conversion of 80 or more acres of agricultural, forest or naturally vegetated land to a more intensive, developed land use. d. The Responsible Government Unit ("RGU") is the local governmental unit, the City of Orono. Minn. Rules Part 4410.4300. subp.! 4 (1993). The City Council of the City of Medina, in which a small portion of the Project is Page I of 8 n. Responses to the comments were prepared by the City with assistance from the Proposer as attached on Attachment C. 2. Substantive comments received during and after *he comment period have been responded to by the City and the Proposer. 3. The present zoning of the property upon wiiich the Project is proposed In each of the cities of Orono and Medina permits the construction and operation of a golf course with a Conditional Use Permit ("CUP"). 4 During the F^\W process and in the public meetings in Orono and Medina involving the CUP and related issues, concerns were raised with respect to approximately 43 acres of a maple/basswood forest on the northerly portion of the Project site containing many characteristics of the "Dig Woods" forest w hich predominated in this area prior to settlement. With respect to such forest area: a ilie forest consists mostly of second growth trees of an age and diversity resulting in many of the characteristsics found in the "Dig Woods". b. This forest has been designated Medi.na 26 in the DNR County Biological Surv ey and has been ranked "DC". The nearby Wolsfcld Woods ^ienlific and Natural Area (ranked "AD") and Wood Rill Scientific and Natural Area (ranked "B") arc deemed to be of greater ecological significance and contain some areas of primary forest. c. The creation of a 'green belt* of approximately 200 acres located between the two above noted Scientific and Natural Areas is deemed to be complimentary to the existing, public areas of the former "Dig Woods". d. There are minimal legal protections for "Big Woods" ecotypes as compared to those for w etlands. None of the regulatory agencies with authority ovxr the Project have specific regulations related to retention or management of forested areas. e. Residential development of the forested areas, as presently permitted under Page 3 of 8