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3) <br /> <br />4) <br /> <br />5) <br /> <br />Com'tnent: The proposed alignment will affect a Type 4 Wetland. <br /> <br />RespOnse: It is true that the roadway will impact a protected wetland. However, when <br />necessary, the City has constructed roadways through wetlands. Most notable is the <br />recently ieompleted segment of 153rd Avenue between County Road #5 and Ramsey <br />Boul~x/alrl which the staff feels was done in an environmentally acceptable manner. We <br />have trec~ived positive comments from citizens on the wetland mitigation elements of the <br />proj~t. The City acknowledges wetlands as a valuable resource and is committed to both <br />minimiziOg and mitigating any impacts to them. Vehicle access along the wetland will also <br />afford th6 public an opportunity to enjoy their beauty. <br /> <br />Comment: At the December 10, 1991 meeting a resident stated that the adjacent wetland <br />was ~ habitat for the Blanding turtle, which is a "threatened" species. <br /> <br />Resp0ns~: Discussion with the Department of Natural Resources office dealing with <br />threatened and endangered species indicated that numerous sightings of Blanding turtles <br />have Scent recorded in the Ramsey area, including one sighting within the general proximity <br />of th~ proposed project. Blanding turtles are common within the Anoka sand plain area <br />since ~heir habitat consists of shallow wetland with emergent vegetation. They tend to <br />remain in,the wetland except for nesting to lay eggs, which they prefer to do in sandy soils <br />as close to the wetland as possible. Discussion with DNR personnel indicated the <br />Dep .at, merit policy on such projects is to address each project having a potential impact on a <br />case by case basis. Some potential provisions to address the impact on the Blanding turtle <br />may incP!de a) recreating similar wetland in another location, b) limiting construction <br />activities ,to a period when the turtles are not nesting, and c) installing fencing to keep the <br />turtle~ separate from the roadway. <br /> <br />Comment: It was pointed out that a portion of the roadway will necessitate the taking of <br />parklaJ)d. <br /> <br />RespOnse.: A small portion of the project located south the Section 21 Half Section Line <br />was d~dieated as parkland as a portion of the Greenland Hills Plat. All of the dedicated <br />parkland except perhaps a strip fronting along Armstrong Boulevard no greater than 100 <br />feet wide is in actuality wetland. <br /> <br />6) <br /> <br />comment: It was pointed out that the land parcel between Armstrong Blvd. and the <br />propo ~sed street (currently owned by Mr. Wayne Knutson) would have double frontage on <br />two mhjoVroadways. Since the land is zoned residential, the value of the land would be <br />decreaSed~ <br /> <br />Resp0l~se: It is reasonable to conclude that the referenced property would become less <br />desireable:~esidential property. The fact that the property would have direct access to both <br />a nortlffso#th and east/west arterial street would increase its potential value if it were to be <br />rezone, it for commercial use. <br /> <br />RecommendatiOn: <br /> <br />Alternative 2 creates a functioning east/west arterial which terminates at Armstrong Boulevard. As <br />development l~OC ~eeds, traffic having origins or destinations west of Armstrong Boulevard wishing <br />to travel eastwardS, to City Hall, the elementary school, clinics and future developments in this <br />vicinity will need to travel excessive distance, make additional tums and be subject to safety <br />hazards of using Armstrong Boulevard or travel over non-arterial residential streets to avoid the use <br />of Armstrong liloulevard. I recommend against pursuing this alternative. <br /> <br /> <br />