ITEM: 11.2 DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS - Bryan K. Schafer, Planning and Community Development Director
Title
AUTHORIZING PREPARATION OF AN EAW FOR BALL ROAD RETAIL
Schedule of Actions
City Council (Authorizing EAW Preparation) |
02/21/13 |
City Council (EQB Completion/Submittal) |
TBD |
Review Comment Period |
TBD |
City Council (Negative Declaration) |
TBD |
Background
The developer of the Ball Road retail project (Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust) has submitted a request to the City to prepare and process a Discretionary EAW (Environmental Assessment Worksheet). MN Rules 4410.1000 indicates that a Discretionary EAW can be completed whenever the project proposer or City wishes to determine if a proposed project has the potential for significant environmental impacts.
The proposed project includes an 182,000 square foot Wal-Mart store with two smaller outlot pads for future retail/restaurant. The total square footage is estimated to not exceed 198,000 square feet of retail. The building size threshold for a mandatory EAW is 300,000 square feet.
The EAW document and all attachments, analysis and study documents will be prepared by MFRA (a Twin Cities based engineering firm) and their sub-consultants. The EAW will then be reviewed for accuracy and completeness by city staff prior to the EAW being presented to the City Council with a request for approval.
Recommendation
By motion, approve the Resolution.
Attachments
Request Letter (Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust)
Site Plan (Preliminary)
Body
WHEREAS, Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust is proposing to construct a 182,000 square foot Wal-Mart store with an additional 16,000 square feet of other new retail on approximately 39 acres in the northeast quadrant of Interstate 35W and Lexington Avenue NE; and
WHEREAS, the project does not meet the size threshold that would require a mandatory Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW); and
WHEREAS, Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust has requested that the City of Blaine prepare and process a Discretionary EAW as provided by MN Rules 4410.1000; and
WHEREAS, a Discretionary EAW will help identify any significant environmental impacts that may be caused by the proposed development.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Blaine, based on the letter of request, does hereby authorize the preparation of an EAW and commits all necessary city staff resources sufficient for its preparation and review.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 21st day of February 2013.