CCP 01-11-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. e I 'e I I I t l l I I- I umerr c.... 1/,'1 1.0 SUMMARY 1.1 PROJECT LOCA TION AND DESCRIPTION The proposed project is located on a 230-acre parcel of land in the city of Shoreview at the southeast quadrant the intersection ofI-35W and County Road J, Ramsey County, Minnesota. 207 acres of the project site are currently owned by the University of Minnesota CU of M") and about 23 acres immediately south of the U of M parcel are currently owned by the Minnesota Department of Transportation ("MnDOT"). Rice Creek North Regional Trail Corridor ("Rice Creek North"), Rice Creek and a wetland complex adjoin the project site on the east and south. 1.2 OVERVIEW OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS This Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DElS) has been prepared in response to rules of the state Environmental Quality Board (EQB). These rules require environmental review of commercial and residential development projects of a size that exceed certain mandatory thresholds. Under the state rules, the proposed development of the U of M property requires the preparation of an EIS. The EIS process requires the preparation of a Scoping Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EA W) to identify critical issues to be addressed in the EIS. An EA W for the proposed project was prepared and circulated for review in April, 1998. Based on the review of the EA Wand comments received during the EA W public comment period, the City of Shoreview adopted a Scoping Decision in June, 1998. The Scoping Decision documented the issues to be addressed in this ElS. This DEIS will be circulated for review by the public, governmental jurisdictions and regulatory agencies in accordance with EQB rules. This review process will include a public meeting to be held at the Shoreview city offices on January 7, 1999. The public comment period will end on January 21, 1999. After the end of the public comment period, the City will prepare a final EIS containing additional infonnation in response to the comments received on the DEIS. This final EIS will then be circulated for further review and comment. The City will then consider all of the documentation and comments received and make a determination on the adequacy of the EIS. 1.3 MAJOR ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED 1.3.1 No-Build Alternative Although the no-build alternative is not consistent with the City's comprehensive plan, it is addressed in this Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) because it is required by Minnesota Environmental Quality Board rules. The no-build alternative assumes that the proposed mixed-use project and the alternative business park project will not be constructed, WISP ARK Rice Creek Corporate Park Draft EIS December 10. 1998 Page 1