Laserfiche WebLink
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—February 8, 2010 11 <br /> 7.B. Minnesota Department of Health — Health Impact Assessment Program for TCAAP <br /> (continued) <br /> Mr. Eshenaur stated the main emphasis of the study or proposal will be looking at things like - <br /> how close a residential development is to a highway, where residents are in relation to stores and <br /> parks, what kind of effect a tree canopy may have and other related issues. Other things that may <br /> be looked at include do people feel safe, looking at the amount of green space and where it is <br /> located in relation to residents, and looking at the general environmental quality. <br /> Councilmember McClung stated he is in favor of the study but does have concerns that the name <br /> will confuse people. <br /> Councilmember Holden clarified Councilmember McClung is requesting that the name be <br /> changed to something else. <br /> Councilmember Holden asked what was meant by general environmental quality and what <br /> would be looked at with this. She stated it was her understanding that this HIA would be looking <br /> at active living. <br /> Mr. Dan Symonik, Environmental Impacts Analysis Unit Supervisor for the Minnesota <br /> Department of Health, stated working on an HIA outside of the classroom not only will provide <br /> their staff with training but also point out problems that need to be looked at such as the name of <br /> the program. What the MDH is hoping to do is create something of value in the community and <br /> they will design their process in this HIA to avoid any hot spots on the property. He explained <br /> that this is going to be a rapid HIA and would be done in a three to four hour time span. At this <br /> time they are proposing to look at the active living aspect on the property. The definition of <br /> environmental quality within the context of HIA is to address a number of different areas <br /> depending on the aspect of environment. Environment can be community related with this and <br /> include things such as complete streets and streetlights. It can also come down to what is in the <br /> ground water and what is in the soil. The definition would depend on what part of the HIA you <br /> are working on. <br /> Mayor Harpstead stated there is a potential title on the document already and this is "Design For <br /> Health Workshop". He stated that it would be important to populate a list of mitigation scenarios. <br /> The City needs a better understanding on what possible alternatives the City has. It may provide <br /> different options that the City is not aware of for dealing with mitigation so that there is not just <br /> one mitigation solution available. These might include ideas about adjacent land uses and <br /> proximity land uses. <br /> Mr. Symonik stated the HIA itself does not get to the level of detail for things. - <br /> Councilmember Holden stated that PCA does get into the levels of contamination and how to <br /> mitigate this. <br />