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To: <br />From: <br />Date: <br />Jeanne Mabusth, Building & Zoning Administrator <br />Michael P. Gaffron, Asst. Planning & 2^ning Administrator <br />April 17,1996 <br />Subject: Determination of EAW/EIS Applicability - Orono Ice Arena Project <br />Summa ry: The Orono Ice Arena project is EXEMPT from EAW/EIS regulations. <br />Reference Documents: <br />1. "Minnesota Rules 1991, Chapter 4410 - Minnesota Environmental Quality Board" <br />(including amendments through Feb. 8, 1993). <br />2. ""EAW Guidelines - Guidance and Information for the Preparation of Environmental <br />Assessment Worksheets"', Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, June 1990. <br />3. "Guide to the Rules of the Minnesota Environmental Review Program. 1989 Edition ", <br />Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, June 1989. <br />Note: I am advised by Greg Downing of the EQB that these are the current documents in effect. <br />EAW/EIS Status of Orono Ice Arena <br />You indicated that at a recent Planning Commission meeeting a citizen had threatened to petition for an <br />EIS on this project. You then requested that I determine whether an EAW/EIS is required under the <br />Environmental Quality Board Rules (for an overview of the E.^W/EIS program see E,\hibit C). <br />The Orono Ice Arena falls under the 'Industrial/Commercial/Institutional Facilities' category. It is not <br />within the scope of the Recreational Development" category. It does fall into the "Air Pollution - Parking <br />Facilities' category. It does not fall into any of the other listed categories. (Ref. 3). <br />Within the Industrial/Commercial/Insiitutional Facilities' and "Air Pollution - Parking Facilities' categories: <br />- Orono is a city of the fourth class based on a population of 7,444 (Met Council est. 4/1/94.) <br />- The IceArena site is not within a "Water-related land use management district" as defined <br />in 4410.0200 Subp. 92a. The City of Orono has adopted Shoreland Regulations as required <br />bv the DNR. The Ice Arena site is not within the Shoreland District and the project involves <br />no riparian frontage (See Exhibit A). <br />- The Ice Arena may be considered either a Commercial or Institutional facility. <br />- The Gross Floor Space of the Ice Arena is approximately 40,900 square feet (25rxl63 ’ <br />measured on the plans) <br />- Proposed new parking facility is for 87 standard spaces plus 4 HC spaces for a total of 91 vehicles. <br />Based on the above information, the Ice Arena does not fall into either of the mandatory EAW or EIS <br />categories. Further, the Ice Arena project as proposed is EXEMPT from the EAW/EIS process under <br />4410.4600. Subp. 10 (See Exhibit B). No citizen petition for an EAW/EIS can be honored. <br />!