Development Business - Dan Schluender, City Engineer
Title
Title
Resolution Finding No Need for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Park Construction Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) (Carlson Group LLC) (Case File No. 22-0076)
end
Executive Summary
The Carlson Group LLC has prepared and submitted an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the proposed Park Construction Office, Warehouse and Storage Development. The EAW is intended to determine if an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required. This industrial development is proposed to be approximately three buildings with associated parking areas, gravel surface process areas, storage areas, and stormwater basins on approximately 20 acres.
Schedule of Actions
|
City Council (Authorizing EAW Submittal) |
12/05/22 |
|
EQB Publish Date |
12/13/22 |
|
Review Comment Period Ends |
01/12/23 |
|
City Council (Negative Declaration-Tentative) |
01/18/23 |
Background
The Park Construction development is a proposed industrial development covering approximately 20 acres of land at 10101 Naples Street NE. The development is proposing to build, own, and operate a construction operations facility that includes an office, warehouse and storage for equipment owned by Park Construction. A second warehouse will also be constructed in the future.
Per Minnesota Rules for projects that will cause an impact to a total of one acre or more of wetlands, regardless of type, excluding public waters wetlands, if any part of the wetland is within a shoreland area, a delineated floodplain, a state or federally designated wild and scenic rivers district, the Minnesota River Project Riverbend area, or the Mississippi headwaters area, a mandatory EAW is required. In this instance, more than one acre of wetland fill is proposed within a delineated floodplain, therefore the proposed wetland fill requires the preparation and processing of an EAW under MN Rules 4410.
On December 5, 2022, the Council initiated the formal environmental review process for the proposed Park Construction development by approving Resolution 22-189 acknowledging submittal of the EAW to the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) for publication and public comment. The EAW was published by the Environmental Quality Board (EQB), and official public comment period began on December 13, 2022, and closed on January 12, 2023.
The EAW outlines and describes the potential development and assesses the potential impacts on a wide variety of environmental issues. The EAW document was prepared by the Developer’s planning consultants and has been reviewed by staff.
The City Council, acting as the Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU), will be able to review any agency or public comments that have been submitted, consider whether the EAW is adequate, and determine if an EIS is required. It is recommended that the City Council accept the EAW and not require an EIS.
At the time the report was completed, only one written comment was provided.
Strategic Plan Relationship
An EAW provides for a well maintained and planned infrastructure.
Board/Commission Review
Schedule:
EQB Publication Notice - 12/13/22
30 Day Comment Period Ends - 01/12/23
Council Determination - 01/18/23
Financial Impact
Not applicable.
Public Outreach/Input
The required 30-day public comment period occurred between December 13, 2022 and January 12, 2023. Only one written set of comments was received by the Metropolitan Council.
Staff Recommendation
By motion, approve the Resolution.
Attachment List
Findings of Fact and Record of Decision (EAW)
Body
WHEREAS, Park Construction has proposed to develop approximately 20 acres into an industrial development to operate a construction operations facility that includes an office, warehouse and storage for equipment; and
WHEREAS, the project, based on the proposed filling of wetland area requires the preparation of a Mandatory Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) under MN Rules 4410; and
WHEREAS, on December 5, 2022, City Council authorized the submitted EAW for publication; and
WHEREAS, on December 7, 2022, copies of the EAW were distributed to all persons and agencies on the official Environmental Quality Board (EQB) distribution list and other interested parties; and
WHEREAS, on December 13, 2022, the EAW was publicly noticed in the EQB monitor, commencing the 30-day public comment period; and
WHEREAS, a press release or public notice was submitted to the Blaine/Spring Lake Park Life newspaper announcing the completion of the EAW, its availability to interested parties, and the process for submitting comments on the EAW; and
WHEREAS, the 30-day comment period ended on January 12, 2023 at 4:30PM, and the City of Blaine accepted and responded to all written comments received; and
WHEREAS, none of the comments received recommended preparation of an EIS, and none suggested the project had the potential to cause significance environmental effects.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Blaine that:
The EAW was prepared in compliance with the procedures of the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act and Minnesota Rules, Parts 4410.1000 to 4410.1700;
The EAW satisfactorily addressed the environmental issued for which existing information could have been reasonably obtained;
Based on the criteria established in Minnesota Rules 4410.1700, the project does not have the potential for significant environmental effects;
The City makes a “Negative Declaration”;
An EIS is not required; and
The City adopts the Response to Comments, Findings of Fact, and Record of Decision for Park Construction Environmental Assessment Worksheet (Record of Decision) and directs the Community Development Director to maintain the Record of Decision and distribute it in accordance with Minnesota Rules.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 18th day of January, 2023.