Minutes - Council - 05/27/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Strommen stated that it made sense to apply for the grant if it is something the City is committed to doing, but she did not think that the City could even think about constructing higher density to the north until the traffic issues along Highway #10 are addressed. Motion by Councilmember Elvig, seconded by Councilmember Cook, to adopt Resolution #03- 05-133 authorizing staff to apply for an Opportunity Grant for the Central Rural Reserve Study. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, and Councilmembers Elvig, Cook, Kurak, Pearson, and Strommen. Voting No: Councilmember Zimmerman. Case #5: Review of Responses to the Town Center Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR); Case of City of Ramsey Principal Planner Trudgeon stated that on April 22, 2003 the City Council authorized the release of draft Town Center Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR). The release of the Draft AUAR triggered a 30-day review period that ended on May 14, 2003. Under the AUAR process, the City must respond to all comments and send out these responses to agencies and persons making the comments. The City, in conjunction with Emmons and Oliver Research (EOR) has come up with responses to all of the comments received. Included with the case was a summary of all of the comments contained in the review letters and the responses to each comment. Staff would like to release the comments so that that AUAR process can continue. Once the responses are released, the agencies and persons that commented on the AUAR have 10 days to object to the responses. If no one objects within these 10 days, the City can then adopt the final AUAR document. If there are no objections to the responses, the City Council could conceivably approve the final AUAR document at their June l0th meeting. The responses to the comments will be incorporated into the final AUAR document that you will consider for approval. If there are objections to the responses, negotiation between the City and the affected agency and/or person will take place. If negotiations fail, the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) will review the AUAR and make a determination on the adequacy of the AUAR. This negotiation/EQB action part of the process can extend as long as 37 days. Although state statutes and state administrative code does not appear to require the City Council to take formal action regarding the release of responses to comments received as part of the AUAR, Staff felt that it was important to make Council aware of the responses. Staff would like to release the responses to the comments immediately if the City Council has no objections to the responses. Staff recommended that the City Council authorize City Staff to release the responses to the comments received for the Town Center AUAR. Councilmember Strommen noted that the City's response to the DNR's comment #7.5 seems to focus on what the City is doing not so much towards the new development. She also noted that some cities require a certain soil depth before they can put in an irrigation system so that the water is being retained, which is something the City may want to consider. Councihnember Zimmerman inquired if the City's water supply study will be completed in time to be incorporated into the AUAR. City Council/May 27, 2003 Page 12 of 18