Review Draft of Alternative Urbanwide Area Review (AUAR) Update for The COR (formerly Ramsey Town Center)

In 2003, the City Council approved an Alternative Urbanwide Area Review (AUAR) for the development known as Ramsey Town Center at the time by adopting Resolution #2002-104. An AUAR is an alternative process to other potential required environmental reviews, such as Environmental Assessment Worksheets (EAW) and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS). The AUAR is a tool to review environmental effects in advance of development, thus providing for a shorter review timeframe at time of development. Generally speaking, an EAW or EIS is prepared during subdivision or site plan review (at time of development). The AUAR provides a mechanism to reduce the amount of individual EAW or EIS needs (but does not negate the need for required environmental review). Environmental Review required by the Environmental Quality Board (EQB), a State agency provides an analysis of impacts and potential mitigation for items such as (but not limited to) surface water, traffic levels and levels of service, natural resource, and habitat impacts. A detailed analysis of impacts and mitigation techniques is included in the current update as well as the 2003 AUAR. Staff will also review the individual items of the Mitigation Summary and Update.

The AUAR is in need of update for two (2) reasons:

1. An AUAR must be updated every five (5) years (expired in 2008)
2. Change in preferred land use plan

It is important to note that not all development projects require the completion of an EAW or EIS. In review of the required thresholds for EAW or EIS review, none of the projects appear to have required preparation of an EAW or EIS that were approved and constructed within the review boundary since the 2008 update. As the City looks forward to potential future projects, it is likely that a number of these developments would require environmental review.

Thresholds guiding types of developments that would require this review through the State EQB are governed by Minnesota Statutes, section 116D.04 and 116D.045 and administrative rules adopted by the EQB as Minnesota Rules, chapter 4410, parts 4410.0200 to 4410.7070.

On February 28, 2012, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Ramsey (HRA) approved a contract with Landform Professional Services to prepare the update to the AUAR. This was being prepared simultaneously with a Comprehensive Plan Amendment specific to The COR. A requirement of the AUAR is that at least one of the development scenarios needed to be compatible with the Comprehensive Plan. As the Comprehensive Plan Amendment changed the preferred land use plan, this AUAR Update needed to wait until the completion of that process. The AUAR Update is now eligible to proceed, as the Comprehensive Plan Amendment has been approved by the Metropolitan Council.

On April 23, 2013, the City Council 'ordered' the AUAR Update, which starts an official comment period for applicable agencies. By ordering the AUAR, the required 120 day process for review begins. Staff is seeking feedback from the Planning Commission during this comment period in advance of the City Council adopting the final version. Under the current schedule, it is anticipated that the City could adopt the final version in July, 2013.

The City has published the AUAR Update in the EQB Monitor and post notice of availability in the official City newsletter. In addition, the AUAR process also includes a 30 day public comment period (with certain 15 day extensions). Finally, there is at least one final comment period for state agencies and Metropolitan Council.

The preparation of the AUAR Update has been completed with guidance by the EQB and is based on Minnesota Rules 4410.3610, Subp. 4. As previously stated, the City Council has ordered the AUAR, which only begins the process for review and public comment. There is also time for final edits before sending for the official process.

Attached for review is the original AUAR for Ramsey Town Center. A full copy of the 2003 AUAR is available in City Hall and is available for viewing upon request. The format of the Update is to only note changes from the original document and not redraft the entire document. The Update will sit as an Appendix/Addendum to the original document to preserve the format at content. When a mitigation item is not applicable to this AUAR, it is so stated. Responses to the questions are only provided when there has been a change since the 2003 AUAR. Whenever "no changes" is indicated, refer to the original document.

A majority of the changes are related to the current Development Plan for The COR. The analysis appears to indicate that the impacts are generally consistent with the findings of the 2003 AUAR. The document updates current plans, policies, and completed projects (such as Ramsey Boulevard and Sunfish Lake Boulevard). Changes to the document are indicated by bold/italicised text.

Appendix C is currently blank. This appendix is for future comments, and thus the final draft will populate this appendix as necessary.

The draft schedule is as follows:

1. Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU) orders AUAR (City is the RGU) on April 23, 2013
2. AUAR submitted to EQB on May 6, 2013
3. Press release submitted to Anoka County Union on May 8, 2013
4. EQB publication date on May 13, 2013
5. Planning Commission reviews draft Update on June 6, 2013
6. Comment Deadline on June 12, 2013
7. Revise and distribute final document on June 26, 2013
8. Final document adopted on July 9, 2013

Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution #13-04-076 to order the AUAR as attached.

The update to the AUAR for The COR is being funded by Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District #14.

Motion to recommend that the City Council approve the AUAR Update as attached, with the necessary inclusion of public comments and official responses.