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I"etitian to Request an Environmental Assessment Worksheet fQ~ C)ak Acres (Planning File 3791} We the undersigned request that the Responsible Government Unit (RGU) require an Environmental Assessment Worksheet be completed for Oak Acres, the project proposed by Art Meuller and located at 2201 Acorn Road. Although this subdivision request does not meet the mandatory thresholds for an EAW, we believe that the unique natural features of the area require an EAW to protect both the existing, and rapidly vanishing wildlife habitat in the area, and the health, safety, and welfare of the residents in the neighborhood. Acorn Road is a heavily treed area with wetlands, ponds, and unique wildlife and habitat. This area is also on the migratory route far many songbirds-an important issue that has been documented by the DNR comments on the proposed Northwestern Expansion EAW and in the Twin Lakes litigation. The DNR and the US Fish and Wildlife Service have indicated the importance of maintaining, encouraging, and protecting such areas. This area also hosts resident turkeys, deer, fox, skunks, raccoons, and quail. In addition to the protection of the habitat for the wildlife, the vegetation and mature trees mitigate and buffer the noise and air pollution generated by the 10 lanes of freeway traffic directly adjacent to Acorn Road which is located at the junction of highways 280, 35W, and 36. The University of Minnesota is planning a study of the air filtering capabilities of vegetation, using Acorn Road as one of its study sites. Other issues are also in need of study and solution. The grading and runoff plans are not complete, and there is no mitigation strategy to handle the runoff ftom development in this area. Acorn Road is a narrow, "country road" unique to Roseville. The style and design of this road contributes to the ambiance while allowing for much of the important vegetation. The additional traffic from this development would increase traffic just at the curve, impairing the safety of the road; widening ar straightening the road would further diminish the environmentally important vegetation. Without the information provided by an EAW and the generation of more complete and accurate site plans and solutions to existing and anticipated problems, approval of this request as it stands would violate city code, environmental review goals, good stewardship practices, and common sense,