HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 221-05 •
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the laws of the State of Minnesota require that an environmental assessment
worksheet (EAW) be prepared whenever a proposed development project results in the
permanent conversion of 80 or more acres of agricultural land to a more intensive use
(Minnesota Rules 4410.4300, subp. 36); and,
WHEREAS, a certain development which is planned and under construction, known as
Hart Farm South Development within the City of Rochester meets the criterion established for
preparation of an EAW; and,
WHEREAS, an EAW was prepared for the Hart Farm South Development and reviewed
by the staff of the Planning and Zoning Department of Olmsted County, 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 and
the thirty day period comment period expired on May 25, 2005, and during such period three
written comments were 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 should be prepared.
WHEREAS, the Common Council met at a regularly scheduled meeting on June 6, 2005,
and considered the EAW, the reports of its 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, that the Common Council makes the following FINDINGS with regard to the
environmental impact of the proposed development to be known as Hart Farm South
Development:
1. The anticipated environmental effects of this project are found to be similar to
those experienced with other development in the City of Rochester. This site
has no unique environmentally sensitive features which warrant more detailed
investigations.
2. Water quality of surface waters from runoff or waste waters from the site should
not be significantly degraded because of this project. Erosion and water quality
of runoff will be controlled by the installation of stormwater detention ponds and
sediment traps. Compliance with construction site NPDES permits will be
• required and a storm water management plan needs to be approved by the City
Public Works Department prior to any construction activities. The Rochester
• Zoning Ordinance and Land Development Manual provides for an ongoing
regulatory authority of the City over erosion control practices. Wastewater from
this project will be treated at the City of Rochester Wastewater Treatment Plant,
which is capable of accepting the estimated amounts of wastewater generated
by this project.
3. The potential for groundwater contamination is found to be reduced by the use of a
stormwater collection system which employs detention basins as compared to the
existing unrestricted overland flow in the property's present state. Spills on the
ground surface will have the potential to be intercepted in the stormwater detention
areas before they leave the property.
4. The anticipated cumulative loss of agricultural lands within the urban service
area of the City of Rochester (where sewer and water service is available) to
urban land uses is an anticipated effect of the orderly growth of the City. Land
use policies direct development to growth centers such as Rochester to reduce
the pressure on agricultural lands in the outlying area to be converted to
residential uses. The more efficient use of land for development purposes where
increased densities can be realized because of sewer and water availability is
expected to help conserve truly prime agricultural areas.
5. Dust and noise which will be generated because of the construction of this
. project will be no more than typical for other residential or commercial
development. The City of Rochester has a noise ordinance, which will protect
area residents from unreasonable noise from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Methods
for controlling dust will need to be implemented by the developer. Detailed
grading and drainage plans will need to be approved by the City prior to
construction and will need to incorporate erosion control measures.
6. This property is within the City of Rochester Urban Service Area according to the
Olmsted County Land Use Plan. Cumulative effects of development within the
Urban Service Area will include the loss of prime farmland and wildlife habitat.
The loss of terrestrial habitat and prime farmland caused by this development
should actually help the efforts to retain more significant habitats and farmlands
in less developed areas of the County by removing residential pressures and
concentrating them in planned areas where the density of development creates a
more efficient use of land.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that based on the findings above, the Common Council
has determined that the development known as Hart Farm South Development does not have
the potential for significant environmental effects and that preparation of an environmental
impact statement is not mandated in this instance.
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• 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 (C T DAY OF 2005.
PRESIDENT OF SAID COMMON COUNCIL
ATTEST:
CI CLERK
APPROVED THIS 7tL DAY OF GZ6�ff , 2005.
MAYOR OF SAID CITY
*,(Sea] of the City of
Rochester, Minnesota)
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