07-14-2014 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL Monday, June 23, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 12 of 30 (7. 13-3638 SOURCE LAND CAPITAL – 405 NORTH ARM DRIVE, LAKEVIEW PROPERTY, APPROVE EAW FOR PUBLICATION AND PUBLIC COMMENT – RESOLUTION NO. 6417, Continued) Gaffron noted additional reference materials that were not included in the Council’s packet consisted of a link to approximately 200 pages concerning different soil borings and other testing that was conducted on the site. Included in the Council’s packet were the results of Hennepin County’s traffic assessment of the County Road 19 and North Arm Drive intersection. The City had requested Hennepin County provide some information and an analysis of the safety of the intersection, traffic speeds, and sight distance. Hennepin County’s conclusion regarding the speed of the vehicles is that the majority of the vehicles are traveling close or at the posted speed limit and that sufficient stopping sight distance is provided for vehicles on County Road 19 approaching North Arm Drive. Gaffron noted the information from Hennepin County has not been included in the EAW and that it is up to the City Council whether it should be included. Steve Grittman, Consulting Planner, stated the material in the Council’s packet reflects a stage of the environmental review process, which is a process that is initiated in a number of ways. In this particular case, it is related to the golf course conversion to a residential subdivision. The purpose of the EAW is to measure and identify potential environmental impacts and any potential mitigation that might be done for those impacts that are identified. Eventually the City Council makes a decision at the end of the EAW process as to whether or not there is need for an environmental impact statement, which is a more elaborate review of environmental impacts. Grittman stated this is the beginning of the EAW process and that the Council is considering tonight whether the submitted draft EAW should be published by the Environmental Quality Board. Grittman noted the City Council is not approving the EAW. Grittman indicated there are a series of publication notification requirements that occur if the Council approves publication tonight, which also initiates commencement of the comment period. If the Council approves publication, it is anticipated it will be published by the EQB in their July 7 newsletter. Following publication, there is a 30-day review period. Grittman noted the City is also required to provide this particular information to a number of state agencies as well as anyone who requests in writing to be included on the comment list, such as neighboring property owners or other government agencies. Grittman noted the City Council is not required to hold a public meeting during this period but may do so if they so desire. Following publication and the comment period, the City Council will have the opportunity to consider all comments properly submitted and, if appropriate, request additional study based on those comments. Grittman noted at the end of the comment period, the City Council’s action will be to make a negative declaration or a positive declaration on the need for an Environmental Impact Statement. Given the time frame for publication and comment, that decision is likely to come before the City Council in August or September. Item #03 - CC Agenda - 07/14/2014 Approval of Council Minutes 06/23/2014 [Page 12 of 30]