Agenda - Council - 12/11/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Case# • CONSIDER ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET (EAV~ PETITION WITH REGARD TO DIAllZONDS SPORTS BAR AND GRILLE: CASE OF CITY OF RAMSEY By Breanne Dalnes, Associate Planner Backgrounds On November 16, 2007 the City received a petition from 33 Ramsey citizens requesting that the City .Council make a determination for the need for an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the amended Conditional Use Permit applicatioirby Diamonds Sports Bar to conduct motocross, demolition derby, and other outdoor recreational events on the Diamond's property (the "Application"). On November 29th, the City Council authorized Staff to enlist the services of Bolten and Menk, Inc, an engineering consulting firm, to review the EAW petition, the statutory requirements for a_n EAW, a_nd provide a~recommendation to the City Council with respect to whether or not an EAW is warranted. The following information is included in your packet, for your information: 1) Site location map 2) Findings of fact report from Bolten and Menk dated December 2007 3) Proposed Findings of Fact, by City Staff, 4) Proposed Resolution denying the EAW petition • Notification: There is no public hearing associated with the citizen's EAW petition. Observations: The Enviromnental Quality Board ("EQB") sets forth land use activities that require an EAW. The purpose of an EAW is to assess the needs for further environmental review and to determine if the proposed project has the potential for significant environmental effects. The application does not meet the threshold for a mandatory EAW. However, citizens have the right to petition the City to request EAW completions on non-mandatory projects. State law requires the City to examine "... if the evidence presented by the petitioners, proposers, and other persons otherwise known to the RGU [responsible goverrunent unit] demonstrates that, because of the nature or location of the proposed project, the project may have the potential for. significant environmental effects." The City Council is required to .adopt findings of fact with regard to the factual and legal reasons for reaching its conclusion about whether or not an EAW will be needed. Bolten and Menlo has prepared a brief study of the envirommental factors to consider and a recommendation with regard to the EAW deternination. They have also laid out a series of • findings associated with their recommendation. -243-