Agenda - Council - 12/13/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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information. The Framework was then merged with the Master Plan to have one guiding document for the area. In 2013, the Metropolitan Council conducted a study called the"Market and Financial Viability Analysis and Implementation Strategy for Transit-Oriented Development" for all Northstar stations including the Ramsey Station.This planning work was funded through a Metropolitan Council Corridors of Opportunity grant, a portion of which was funded through a Sustainable Communities Regional Planning grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.The proposed project is consistent with previous HUD-funded investment strategies and planning. In addition to land use planning,the cities of Ramsey and Anoka, along with Anoka County and the Minnesota Department of Transportation completed the Highway 10 Access Planning Study in 2014. Environmental Sustainability I. Reduce energy use and air or water pollution Climate change is a result of increased carbon dioxide production and one of the sources of this pollutant is vehicle emissions.By reducing the congestion causing vehicles to stop and start,the proposed project will reduce emissions of vehicles traveling on US 10. Furthermore,the proposed project will facilitate use of the Northstar Commuter Rail Station and further build out of the COR so that as the city of Ramsey grows, a greater share of trips in the area can be made on foot, by bicycle,or by transit,reducing per capita carbon emissions. II. Avoid adverse environmental Impacts to air or water quality,wetlands,and endangered species An Environmental Assessment was previously completed for the Highway 10 corridor between Sunfish Lake Boulevard and Ramsey Boulevard. There are no wetlands in the project area. The project has the potential to impact six (6) monitoring wells related to a previous train derailment and soil contamination. This soil contamination has been properly mitigated per the direction of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Finally,the Environmental Assessment notes numerous low and medium risk properties within the project corridor. Low risk properties warrant no further study while medium risk properties may warrant further study. Additionally,an additional AUAR was completed for The COR development in 2005,updated 2014. This AUAR was utilized for the previous improvements for this exact intersection. Based on this information,it is assumed that the project will have no troubles securing a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The existing conditions of the roadway do not provide significant habitat for wildlife. Therefore the proposed conditions are not anticipated to change wildlife use in the area. Information from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Natural Heritage Database indicates that one state-listed threatened species,the Blanding's turtle,is known to have occurred in the area. The DNR's fact sheet regarding Blanding's turtles will be provided to contractors and if turtles are in harm's way during construction,they will be moved. Surmountable curbs will also be used during construction to facilitate movement of turtles. III. Provide environmental benefits,such as brownfleld redevelopment,ground water recharge In areas of water scarcity US 10/CSAH 56 FAS LANE Application 20 City of Ramsey