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

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• The Plannin Commission held a ublic g p hearing on November 1, 2007 and recommended denial, on a 4 to 2 vote, with one abstention. About a dozen people spoke against the proposal, and about 5 spoke in favor of it. All letters that were received are included in your packet, including einails. The primary concerns from the residents and other stakeholders are that the sound emitted from the events will impact the recreational and natural/wildlife value of the area and will have a negative effect on the quality-of--life in the surrounding neighborhoods. Anoka County Parks and the National Park Service have also submitted letters in opposition to permitting these events, specifically motocross. Their primary concerns are the negative impact to the wildlife habitat of the MNRRA corridor, the inconsistency of the proposed use with the multi-million dollar long-term park plan for Mississippi West Park (including the Center for Sustainable Landscape), and the general. decrease in the corridor's appeal for recreational use (canoeing, boating, fishing, hiking, and use of the future trail). A copy of the Anoka County Parks plan for the development of Mississippi. West Park is included in your packet. The recommendation from Bolter and Menk regarding the EAW determination suggested that the environmental impacts are not significant enough to warrant an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW). Furthermore, the report outlines that the most accurate way to analyze the impacts of the additional sound is to monitor noise levels at the actual • event. Also, the report recommends that the City require a stormwater management plan for events that will require grading. Staff recognizes the importance of community events that many members of the community support. However, the City Code does not allow economic considerations to be factored into land use decisions. Also, there has been little evidence that the sound emitted from the motocross events will exceed 60 db(A) more the 10% of the time (maximum limit in City Code before sound is considered a nuisance), or that the sound emitted from these events will have a negative impact on the existing habitat and environmental integrity. However, staff also recognizes the impact a change in relative sound levels will have on the livability of the neighborhood and the impacts on the plans for the development of Mississippi West Park. Also, there will be a PA system at each event, which will have an unknown impact on the overall sound levels. Under the existing proposed schedule, there would be two of these events each month in June, July, August, and September. Without having sound data specific to the site with the proposed events and PA system, it is impossible to anticipate the impact this number of events will have on the surrounding neighborhood. Hosting an event every other weekend during the summertime months (May through September) may have a negative impact on the surrounding neighborhoods and recreational areas, regardless of the Ievel of sound. Staff recommends approval of a one-year interim-use permit for the proposal, notwithstanding the financial investment put forth by the applicant. Staff will continue to • conduct measurements of the noise impacts during these events at various distances and points along the river and in adjoining neighborhoods and would document all noise , complaints during these events. This information would be used to analyze the validity of a -more permanent conditional use permit, once the IUP expires.. Furthermore, Staff -259-