Consider Response to an Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) in the City of Dayton

The City has received a DRAFT Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) document for a development project in the city of Dayton.  An AUAR is an environmental review process that can be used in lieu of more traditional environmental reviews such as Environmental Assessment Worksheets (EAW) and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), as long as the geographic area is covered by an acceptable Comprehensive Plan.  In this case, the project area includes 560 acres directly south of Ramsey's identified potential Mississippi River bridge crossing.

Notification by the City of Ramsey is not required.

There is a proposed development in the City of Dayton that encompasses 560 acres.  The project site is located south of Dayton River Road (does not include any land abutting the Mississippi River), directly across from about 170 acres of agricultural land situated between Bowers Drive and 142nd Ave.  The full build-out of this development, which is expected to occur over 10-15 years, would result in 1,500 to 1,700 single family residential homes and a small commercial node consisting of neighborhood retail.

City Staff has no objections to the AUAR itself; however, based we have prepared a draft response letter with two (2) primary comments.  First and foremost, the project location is directly south of the area identified by Ramsey for a future bridge crossing.  Staff has noted a preference that a corridor for a future bridge crossing be identified in the exhibits within the AUAR.  It appears that the proposed Zanzibar Avenue could serve as that corridor, which seems ideal as the City of Dayton anticipates Zanzibar Avenue to eventually connect to Interstate 94 via a new interchange.  It also would provide a more direct connection for residents of Dayton to the Northstar rail station here in Ramsey.
  
The northern portion of the AUAR is within the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA).  While no part of the project area actually abuts the river, Staff has noted that the updated MRCCA rules does have provisions addressing public river corridor views, including views from the Ordinary High Watermark from adjacent shorelines.  Our intent is to simply reiterate that Dayton should be cognizant of the updated MRCCA rules as their development project unfolds over the coming years.

This is being handled as part of Staff's regular duties.

The Planning Commission should review the draft response letter and, if desired, make any revisions and than provide a recommendation to City Council to direct Staff to submit the comments to the City of Dayton.

Motion to recommend City Council direct Staff to formally submit the response to the North Dayton Development AUAR to the City of Dayton.