Adopt Resolution #17-04-089 Approving Riverstone Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for Distribution; Case of Capstone Homes(Project No. 17-106)

The purpose of this case is to authorize distribution of a Mandatory Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for a proposed 293 lot subdivision (245 detached single-family and 48 townhomes).

Please note that this does not give approval to the plat/project itself, but is a step required by Minnesota Rules prior to approval of a Preliminary Plat due to the size of the project. The Preliminary Plat (entitlement) will be in front of the City Council at the end of May or early June. Further note: this action does not give final approval of the EAW; it simply authorizes for distribution for applicable agencies and general public.

Notification of the Public Comment Period will be made consistent with Minnesota Rules. Staff has attempted to notify all Property Owners within 700 feet of the Subject Property as part of the Sketch Plan Review with the Planning Commission on April 6th. The same notification will be provided for the May Planning Commission (Preliminary Plat).

Staff has also scheduled an optional Public Comment Meeting for Thursday, May 4 at 5:30 p.m.

The Staff Review File for Sketch Plan Review is included as reference. Included within Sketch Plan Review is review of the EAW. Amendments requested by the City must be incorporated within the final document to be submitted after the Public Comment Period. Two key amendments are called out for emphasis.

1. Noise Study. Due to the proximity to U.S. Highway 10, a Noise Study is requested. This will alleviate potential financial liability to the City in the future if future Highway 10 improvements trigger the need for a noise wall. If the City does not address this issue with project approval, it is likely that the financial commitment in the event a noise wall is required associated with future Highway 10 projects, that responsibility would fall on the City, not MnDOT.
2. Additional Intersection Modeling. The Project's traffic analysis only analyzes those intersections directly associated with the Project. It is standard to also model key nodes surrounding the area (in this case Bunker/Armstrong, Alpine/Armstrong, and Alpine/U.S. 10). Two of these intersections are already modeled as part of the Armstrong West/Future Business Park Infrastructure Study.

All costs associated with processing the Application are the responsibility of the Developer.

Staff recommends the authorization to distribute the attached EAW for Riverstone Addition.

Motion to adopt Resolution #17-04-089 authorizing the distribution of the Riverstone Environmental Assessment Worksheet.