HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 360-07 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 and
exceeds the threshold for residential development (Minnesota Rules 4410.4300, subps. 19 and
36); and,
WHEREAS, a certain development which is planned and under construction, known as
Dodge Property, consisting of a new city golf course facility, and residential and commercial
development within the City of Rochester meets the criterion established for preparation of an
EAW; and,
WHEREAS, an EAW was prepared for the Dodge Property 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 July 17, 2007, and during such period two
•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 August 6,
2007, 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 Dodge Property:
1. There have been no major environmental effects identified by the applicant, City of
Rochester, or referral agencies that is of a type or that has a degree of impact that
is not covered by existing state rules or city ordinance and plans.
2. The location of the project is within the Rochester Urban Service Area under the
Olmsted County General Land Use Plan and the Rochester Urban Service Area
Land Use Plan, thereby focusing urban development to specifically identified parts
of the county based on adopted city and county policies. The anticipated
cumulative loss of agricultural lands and wildlife habitat within the urban service
area of the City of Rochester (where sewer and water service is available) to urban
40 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
ipressure on agricultural/rural lands in nthe outlying area to be converted to
residential or other non-agricultural land uses. The more efficient use of land for
residential and commercial purposes where increased densities can be realized
because of sewer and water availability is expected to help conserve prime
agricultural and wildlife areas outside of the urban service area.
3. Other substantive matters identified include stormwater runoff/erosion control, well
sealing, traffic patterns and volumes, and state threatened and endangered
species. These matters will be addressed through the local development
review/permitting_processes by the State, City and County. Olmsted County will
start construction of improvements to the 55th Street/48th Street corridor in 2009
that will improve traffic safety and level of service at the intersection with Highway
63. The development area has been continuously disturbed through farming for
over a century. Stormwater runoff will be controlled such that the amount and rate
of runoff is no larger than currently occurring from the agricultural and woodland
areas.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has indicated that records
indicate that Blanding's turtle's have been reported in the area, although not on the
Dodge Property. The MNDNR has recommended that the developer(s) of the
Dodge Property follow the guidance for avoiding and minimizing impacts to the
turtles.
4. In order for the property to be developed, the future applicants must submit a
rezoning application, General Development Plan, preliminary and final plats, and
stormwater/grading plans for review and approval. Environmental impacts related
to permanent loss of agricultural lands and related habitat are recognized in the
responses above. Specific impacts related to infrastructure construction and later
building construction will be addressed through the permits submitted and acted
on by city and state agencies including the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency,
Minnesota Department of Transportation, Rochester-Olmsted Planning
Department (Inspections Division), and the Rochester Public Works Department.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that based on the findings above, the Common Council
has determined that the development known as Dodge Property does not have the potential for
significant environmental effects and that preparation of an environmental impact statement is
not mandated in this instance.
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.
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• PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA, THIS &ZN D OF AG4l�sT" , 2007.
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PRESIDENT OF SAID COMMON COUNCIL
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK /��,,"�
APPROVED THIS 7rH DAY OF /7&6&57- ) 2007.
MAYOR OF SAID CITY
(Seal of the City of
Rochester, Minnesota)
Zone05\Eaw-eis.need.dodge
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