3.1. PCSR 08-10-2004 ITEM # 3.1.
'y of MEMORANDLM
Elk
�� TO: Planning Commission
River
FROM: Rebecca Haug, Environmental
13065 Orono Parkway Technician
Elk River,MN 55330
DATE: August 10, 2004
SUBJECT: Environmental Assessment Worksheet
for River Park
Included in your packet is a copy of the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW)
for the residential development of River Park. The purpose of the EAW is to describe the
project and gather information to identify any potential environmental effects.
For the plat of River Park, the City Council for the City of Elk River is the Responsible
Governmental Unit (RGU) charged with determining from the information gathered
through the EAW process, whether or not this project has significant potential to cause
irreversible environmental effects. If the Council feels there is a significant potential to
cause irreversible environmental effects, they shall order an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) be prepared for the project. To make their decision the Council will
consider the following information: the EAW itself, comments received on the EAW, and
the responses to the comments received.
The Council shall order an Environmental Impact Statement be prepared, if they
determine that the impacts that may reasonably be expected by the project have the
potential for significant environmental effects. The Council shall consider the impacts of
the project under the following criteria:
• type, extent, and reversibility of the environmental effects;
• cumulative potential effects of related or anticipated future projects;
• the extent to which the environmental effects are subject to mitigation by ongoing
public regulatory authority; and
• the extent to which enviromnental effects can be anticipated and controlled as a result
of other environmental studies.
RESPONSE TO COMMENTS
The only comment received on the EAW was from Anoka County Highway
Department. This comment letter, dated July 19, 2004 is attached.
Comment—Anoka County Highway Department question the number of vehicle trips
generated by the project listed in question 21 of the EAW.
Response—Mike Spack, a Traffic Engineer for TDI, addresses this issue in the attached
memorandum dated August 2, 2004. Mr. Spack contends the lesser number of vehicles
trips listed in the EAW versus Anoka County's calculations is due to townhomes
generating less trips.
Phone:763.635.1000
Fax.763.635.1090
www.ci.elk-river.ran.us
Comment—Anoka County Highway raises the concern regarding congestion on roads in
Anoka County due to additional traffic generated by the River Park project.
Response - Staff concurs that the additional traffic generated by the project needs to be
taken into consideration in transportation planning for the entire area, Anoka County and
Sherburne County. Terry Maurer. City Engineer, will be specifically addressing this
issue. His response will be provided to the Planning Commission with this packet.
Comment—Anoka County Highway Department commented on a proposed inter
regional trail running along Anoka County CSAH 22, connecting to Sherburne County
CSAH 13, and eventually linking Anoka County East Twin Lake Park with the Sherburne
National Wildlife Refuge.
Response - This issue will be addressed by the Elk River Park and Recreation
Commission to see if this is still a feasible route.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff feels that the EAW accurately describes the project and the potential environmental
effects. Mitigation measures to reduce the environmental effects have been identified by
the EAW and will be incorporated into the plans for the project.
The EAW, comments on the EAW and staffs responses have been provided to the
Planning commission so they have the benefit of all relative information when
considering this plat. Declaring the EAW adequate and determining the need for an EIS
is the City Council's decision. However, it is appropriate for the Planning Commission
to make a recommendation to the Council regarding the need for an EIS for this project.
Staff is recommending a negative declaration on the need for an EIS for the plat of River
Park.
RESOLUTION 04 -