HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 057-26 - Resolution - CD2025-005ENV Rochester Regional Sports Complex
RESOLUTION
Adopting a Negative Declaration for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for
Environmental Assessment Worksheet No. CD2025-005ENV by the City of
Rochester, for a proposed Regional Sports and Recreation Complex located in
Section 25, Twp 106, Range 14 West.
WHEREAS, the laws of the State of Minnesota require that an Environmental Assessment
Worksheet (EAW) be prepared for the construction of a new sports or entertainment facility
designed for or expected to accommodate a peak attendance of 5,000 or more persons, or
the expansion of an existing sports or entertainment facility by this amount (Minnesota Rules
4410.4300 Subpart 34); and
WHEREAS, the future Regional Sports and Recreation Complex project within the City of
Rochester meets the criteria established for the preparation of the EAW; and
WHEREAS, an EAW was prepared for the Regional Sports and Recreation Complex project
and reviewed by the Development Review Team, and the draft document was circulated for
comments to the required state and federal agencies, as provided by law; and
WHEREAS, notice of availability of the EAW was published in the EQB Monitor on January
6, 2026, and the thirty-day comment period expired on February 5, 2026, and during such
period one written comment was received; and
WHEREAS, the Common Council is required by law to make a finding on the adequacy of
the EAW and to determine whether an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) should be
prepared; and
WHEREAS, the Common Council met at a regularly scheduled meeting on March 16, 2026,
and considered the EAW, the reports of City staff, and the comments received from the
parties as noted above.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Rochester,
Minnesota, that the Common Council makes the following findings regarding the
environmental impact of the proposed development currently known as the Rochester
Regional Sports and Recreation Complex:
1. The Environmental Assessment Worksheet and related documentation for the
Regional Sports and Recreation Complex project were prepared in compliance
with the procedures of the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act and Minnesota
Rules, parts 4410.1000 to 4410.1700. All requirements for the environmental
review of the proposed project have been met.
2. The EAW has generated information that is adequate to determine whether the
project has the potential for significant environmental effects.
3. Based on the criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 4410.1700, the project does not
have the potential for significant environmental effects.
4. The Responsible Government Unit (RGU) makes a Negative Declaration and
does not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that based on the findings above, the Common Council has
determined that the development currently known as the Rochester Regional Sports and
Recreation Complex does not have the potential for significant environmental effects and
that preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not mandated in this
instance; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that nothing in this determination that the EAW is adequate
should be interpreted in any way to suggest that the City approves of the proposed
development.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA, THIS __________ DAY OF _______________, 2026.
___________________________________
PRESIDENT OF SAID COMMON COUNCIL
ATTEST: __________________________
CITY CLERK
APPROVED THIS _____ DAY OF ______________________, 2026.
___________________________________
MAYOR OF SAID CITY
(Seal of the City of
Rochester, Minnesota)