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OCT-06-1999 08:22 CITY OF BLOOMINGTON 6129488949 P.02/07 Case 10388A-97 Page SA4 before the wetland is impacted by any site work. Staff agrees with the report's assessment of the wetland .and its recommendation for off-site mitigation through the wetland bank. 1( Environmental Assessment Worksheet The change from Hotel to Office is not viewed as significant in tenns of altering the overall character of the development nOf as changing its scale or intensity in regard to the need for a new Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW). The proposed Phase IV is consistent with the purpose and intent of the approved plans in that the change is not substantial and the potential for adverse environmental effects has not been increased. The submitted documentation and studies support this conclusion. The completion of Phase IV as proposed would provide a consistent conclusion to the project and does not require the preparation and submittal of an Environmental Assessment Worksheet. Other Issues Subsequent to submission of the application, the issue of a grade separated interchange at Normandale and West 84th Street, with Normandale being the elevated roadway, came under discussion. This roadway improvement feature has been touched upon a number of times during public hearings in the past 20 years in various configurations, and is one that most agree offers significant benefit as a solution to mitigating delays to and maintaining satisfactory levels of future traffic movements through the intersection. However, .such a feature has never been approved on any City, County, or State transportation or roadway improvement plan for a number of reasons. A current bridging schematic could locate all road ways in the current right-of-way and would require the provision of a IS foot Wide easement adjacent to the existing Normandale right-of-way along the east side of the site in which a small yard area, a sidewalk, and retaining walls could be located. This would allow full use of the existing right-of-way for the bridging and street improvements. Building setbacks would not be reduced as the property line would not change, but open and landscaped yard area would be and the east side of the pond would be a retaining wall rather than a earth/rock slope. The applicant is currently considering the effects of such easement on the design and may have arrived at a decision by the meeting date. Th~ applicant has also submitted additional plans for the skyway link to the 8300 Tower and ramp elevations' (reductions attached). These are consistent with the narrative and the existing development. The use of the property for Office rather than Hotel is not a significant change in tenns of fonn or function within either the complex or impact upon the site. Footprint size, placement, and site alterations would be quite similar for a hotel which wouJd also require structured parking, just not quite as much. Use compatibility is certainly excellent and the proposed building will serve as an attractive gateway to the complex. Setbacks and other site positioning features continue the existing development pattern and provide a continuity of character and atmosphere. Although the appJicant is only considering incJusion of a food service operation that would be directed towards tel12nt service and operate only during normal tenant hours, a change in character to that of a full seIVice restaurant with after hours operation should be subject to review and approval by the Planning Manager. . Public Works Comments include the fonowing: . Connection charges be satisfied; . All alterations and additions to utilities be at the developer's expense; . SAC questionnaire be completed and charges be satisfied; t () 3 8 ;~ ~ ~.~ 97