Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 03/20/2017

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Environmental Policy Board (EPB) 5. 2. Meeting Date: 03/20/2017 By: Chris Anderson, Community Development Information Title: Receive Update on Covenant Meadows and Consider Environmental Review Options (Project #17-102); Case of Eric Thomsen Purpose/Background: This case is for update purposes only. No action is being requested at this time. The Planning Commission postponed action at their March 2 meeting to spend more time addressing concerns raised by neighboring property owners regarding impacts to ecological and wildlife resources. It was requested that the City explore a discretionary Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) or Citizen Petition EAW. The City will be hosting a workshop on the project on Thursday, April 6 at 5: 30 p.m. to discuss neighbor concerns in more detail. The project does not reach the threshold for a mandatory EAW. The mandatory threshold for Ramsey's community type is based on number of unattached units (250). The proposed project is twelve (12) lots. Additionally, there are a number of requirements of an EAW that go beyond the concerns raised by adjoining neighbors. Finally, Staff believes the Planned Unit Development process that permanently protects fifteen (15) acres of prime ecological resource along the Trott Brook Corridor is the correct approach to protect ecological resources in the area. In order to bridge the gap, Staffhas made a request to the DNR for a database of potential endangered or threatened species, a component of an EAW. Staff updated the City Council at their March 14 meeting based on the level of feedback at the Public Hearing. City Council supported the Planning Commission's approach of stepping back and hosting a workshop with the surrounding neighbors to try and address their concerns and ordering the Natural Heritage Information System file from the MNDNR for additional information about potential threatened and/or endangered species. At this point, Staffs original recommendation remains unswayed as the Planned Unit Development (PUD) approach provides, in perpetuity, protection to fifteen (15) acres of high value natural area, including Trott Brook. Original case for the Planning Commission starts below. The purpose of this case is to review an application for a Rezoning of the Subject Project from R-1 Rural Developing to Planned Unit Development (PUD) and Preliminary Plat. The site is generally located south of Trott Brook and west of Germanium Street and is identified as PID 02-32-25-44-0004. The Applicant has proposed to subdivide the approximately thirty-eight (38) acre Subject Property into twelve (12) single family homes that would be serviced by individual private utilities. The Preliminary Plat proposes deeding approximately fifteen (15) of the thirty eight (38) acres to the City as the public benefit in relation to the PUD application. The proposed fifteen (15) acres straddles both sides of the Trott Brook, has steep slopes, and is also considered to be high quality natural open space. Notification: Staff attempted to notify all Property Owners within a 700 foot radius of the Subject Property of the Public Hearing via Standard US Mail. The Public Hearing was also published in the City's official newsletter, the Anoka County Union Herald. Observations/Alternatives: