Agenda - Council - 07/22/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I I CAS # &, EAW PETITION - APPLE RIDGE By: Ryan R. Schroeder, City Administrator Background: The City received notice of an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) petition on June 24, 1997 relative to the proposed Apple Ridge subdivision. Under regulations of the Environmental Quality Board of the State of Minnesota (EQB), the City has only fifteen days within which to determine if an EAW is necessitated within the project area. This fifteen day period can be extended for a second like period but cannot be extended further. At its meeting of July 8, 1997 Council exercised its option of the second fifteen day period. This extension mandates that the Council, as the designated responsible governmental unit (RGU), make a determination as to whether an EAW will be required by July 24, 1997. On June 24, ! 997 Council directed that Staff contract with an outside engineering firm in order to make a determination as to if the finn concludes that there is sufficient evidence to determine that significant environmental effects could be attributed to the proposed project. Enclosed for your review is the analysis by the firm of Hakanson Anderson Associates, Inc. Their finding, as reported in the cover letter of their report, is that there is not significant evidence that environmental effects could be attributed to the proposed Apple Ridge subdivision. As part of their evidence they have included correspondence from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. This letter states that there are no known occurrences of rare species or natural communities in the area searched (the project area). Staff Recommendation: Given the above, it is the Staff recommendation to adopt the enclosed findings of fact in the negative. Said adoption will be a determination that an EAW is not ordered. The findings will also remove the environmental contingency from the preliminary plat approval of Apple Ridge on June 24, 1997. Council Action: Motion to adopt the Findings of Fact / Determination of Need for the Preparation of an EAW for the Apple Ridge Development. Reviewed by: City Administrator CC: 07/22/97 t77