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170516_ChanhassenAUAR_FINAL-MitigationPlanChanhassen 2005 Alternative Urban Areawide Review 2016 Update Page 42 MITIGATION INITIATIVES Mitigation Plan. The final AUAR document must include an explicit mitigation plan. At the RGU’s option, a draft plan may be include in the draft AUAR document; of course, whether or not there is a separate item for a draft mitigation plan, proposed mitigation must be addressed through the document. It must be understood that the mitigation plan in the final document takes on the nature of a commitment by the RGU to prevent potentially significant impacts from occurring from specific projects. It is more than just a list of ways to reduce impacts—it must include information about how the mitigation will be applied and assurance that it will. Otherwise, the AUAR may not be adequate and/or specific projects may lose their exemption from the individual review. The RGU’s final action on the AUAR must specifically adopt the mitigation plan; therefore, the plan has a “political” as well as a technical dimension. This Mitigation Plan identifies initiatives that address potential impacts resulting from future development within the AUAR Project area. This mitigation plan specifies the controls, procedures, and other steps that may be implemented to protect or minimize potential negative impacts. In order to mitigate the potential environmental impacts identified in the Chanhassen AUAR, The City of Chanhassen will commit to implementing the mitigation initiatives identified in this plan. Intent of Mitigation Plan New development generates impacts on the environment and on existing development. These impacts result from construction activities associated with new development (i.e. erosion, dust, noise) as well as post construction associated with the activities and design of the development (i.e. traffic, runoff, pollution, infrastructure demand). This plan identifies existing tools and policies that the City of Chanhassen has in place to address the types of impacts that may result through development of the Chanhassen AUAR project area. The plan also identifies additional initiatives that will need to be implemented to mitigate potential environmental impacts resulting from projected development of the project area. There are multiple ways in which Mitigation Initiatives may be implemented such as: o Enforcing existing zoning and subdivision ordinances and other development regulations at the time of development concept submittals, preliminary and final platting, and during construction monitoring activities; o Referencing and implementing policy directions during the review and approvals of development projects; o Facilitating additional study as regional transportation planning initiatives become more finalized or as other regional developments alter travel patterns/behaviors. o Planning and building public infrastructure (local roads, parks, trunk sewer systems and water systems) in conjunction with private development initiatives; o Maintaining and updating of existing plans and studies for the community; o Requiring additional field work/investigations as part of pre development planning where potential environmental or cultural resources may exist but have not been verified. Chanhassen 2005 Alternative Urban Areawide Review 2016 Update Page 43 General Mitigation Initiatives This section identifies a series of mitigation initiatives that are general in nature and apply to all public and private development within the AUAR. 1. All permits identified in the AUAR (See question #8) as well as other necessary permits that may be required will be secured by the City, or private parties as appropriate, for all development activities within the project area. 2. The City will follow its own regulations, ordinances, plans, and policies currently in place in the review and approval of all development activities within the project area. These items include The 2030 Comprehensive Land Use Plan, the official zoning and subdivision ordinances and the Bluff Creek Overlay ordinance. In addition, the Bluff Creek Watershed Natural Resource Management Plan, the Surface Water Management Plan, the Comprehensive Water Supply Plan, and the Comprehensive Sanitary Sewer System Plan will be used as technical resources in reviewing development activities and developing associated public infrastructure. 3. The City will extend public sewer and water services in a manner consistent with existing plans and policies for delivering trunk sanitary sewer service and water main systems. Abandonment and closure of individual well and septic systems will follow existing local and state regulations. 4. The City will work with Mn/DOT and Carver County to periodically monitor traffic as generated from development within the project area as well as regional development initiatives that will affect the project area. Performing traffic counts and monitoring traffic movements will help in facilitating future local roadway improvements. 5. The City will provide for adequate regional and local stormwater ponds and trunk facilities to protect water resources and water quality as guided by the Surface Water Management Plan and the Bluff Creek Watershed Natural Resource Management Plan. 6. The City will to monitor development within the AUAR Project Area and its conformance with the development scenarios assumed in the AUAR. 7. The City will enforce its parkland dedication practices consistent with the goals and policies outlined in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan and the Bluff Creek Watershed Natural Resource Management Plan and the requirements of the subdivision ordinance. 8. The City will follow existing zoning regulations including Floodplain Overlay (Article V), Wetland Protection (Article VI), Shoreland Management (Article VII), Bluff Protection (Article XXVIII) and Bluff Creek Overlay (Article XXXI) to protect natural and environmental resources from potential impacts resulting from the Development Scenario. The City will reference policies and strategies outlined in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, Surface Water Management Plan and the Bluff Creek Watershed Natural Resource Management Plan as technical resources during the review of specific development projects. Focused Mitigation Initiatives Mitigation initiatives that are explicitly intended to mitigate or minimize impacts on a particular resource or action are outlined by topic in this section. Fish, Wildlife and Ecologically Sensitive Resources The Bluff Creek Overlay zoning ordinance contains provisions that require a detailed analysis of habitat conditions prior to development. This analysis is provided as part of the preparation of development plans. Staff will verify the findings of the work and will work with developers to design projects in a manner that protects and preserves these habitat areas. Implementation of the Bluff Creek Overlay zoning ordinance will protect resources within the Bluff Creek corridor (See Figure 4 Significant Habitat Areas of the AUAR Document.) Chanhassen 2005 Alternative Urban Areawide Review 2016 Update Page 44 Other areas within the project area maintain significant wildlife or ecologically sensitive resources. The most prominent resources are identified in Figure 4. The identification of these areas provides advance notice to developers to plan developments in a manner that protects their ecological function. The City’s 20 30 Comprehensive Plan, the Bluff Creek Watershed Natural Resources Management Plan, the Bluff Creek Overlay zoning ordinance and the Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning mechanism (Article VIII) provide the City with the necessary tools to be flexible with subdivision design in order to preserve these areas. A cooperative approach to planning and design will be implemented to protect other wildlife and sensitive resources. In addition to implementing existing plans, policies and regulations, the City will actively work with non-profit groups focused on preserving quality open spaces and environmental resources that are identified with this AUAR and future more detailed development planning initiatives. While there are no instances of high biodiversity or ecological significance directly within the project area, there are sensitive areas surrounding the site (primarily south of the site and south of Highway 212) that should be protected from indirect effects (as shown in Figure 5). Initiatives being implemented within the development area in pursuance with the Bluff Creek Overlay zoning ordinance are established to prevent or mitigate potential impacts to surrounding environmentally sensitive sites. In addition, best management practices for site design and storm water management will be encouraged through the site planning and planned unit development process. Water Resources (wetlands, creeks, lakes) and Surface Water Management Increased stormwater runoff will result from future development in the project area. The Surface Water Management Plan and watershed regulations establish standards for surface water runoff. Key policy directives relative to the protection of water resources and the management of surface water runoff include: • Abstracting the first 1.1-inch of runoff from new impervious surfaces. • Maintaining peak discharge rates at or below current levels. • Providing water quality treatment of runoff prior to discharge from the site or into onsite wetlands. • Conform to NURP standards. • Remove 60% of phosphorous and 90% of total suspended solids on an annual basis. • Discharge to Lake Susan shall not impair water quality. • Discharge to Bluff Creek shall improve water quality. • Providing pre-treatment for infiltration or filtration practices. • Developing storm water quality and quantity treatment by site or development. • Preparing a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for each development or site. • Conformance to NPDES Phase II requirements as outlined in the EPA Clean Water Act. Additional strategies and policies that direct development in a manner that minimizes impervious surface coverage are outlined in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, The Bluff Creek Watershed Natural Resource Management Plan, the Wetland Conservation Act and the City's Wetland Protection Ordinance. Projects within the AUAR that impact wetlands will be subject to regulation under the City of Chanhassen Wetland Ordinance, Wetland Conservation Act, Chapter 103G Waters of the State (i.e. Department of Natural Resources), and possibly Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (i.e. the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers). Should wetland impacts be part of a project within the AUAR these regulatory programs have sequencing requirements which require applicants to demonstrate that wetland impacts have been avoided and minimized to the extent practicable and if impacts cannot be avoided these programs require replacement of wetlands impacted by fill or excavation. Chanhassen 2005 Alternative Urban Areawide Review 2016 Update Page 45 Erosion and Sedimentation The City of Chanhassen utilizes “Best Management Practices” as outlined in various resources and by the Metropolitan Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). During construction activities and prior to the maturing of vegetative cover over disturbed ground, proper techniques will be used to control erosion and sedimentation. The City’s existing code provides the regulatory tools for this initiative. Land use management and zoning tools (PUD, density transfers, Bluff Creek Overlay) will be implemented to direct development to less erosion prone areas of the site. Wastewater The development scenarios identified in this AUAR are consistent with the City of Chanhassen 2030 Comprehensive Sanitary Sewer System Plan. The City of Chanhassen through its site development plan review process will monitor and verify estimated wastewater flows for general conformance to the Plan. In addition, each development will be responsible for the following: • Conformance to the City of Chanhassen Comprehensive Sanitary Sewer System Plan. • Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) Sanitary Sewer Extension Permit(s) • Sewer Access Charges (SAC) related to their proposed development. • The proportional share of the costs of Trunk Sanitary Sewer Mains. • Construction of local sewer mains to serve the development. Water Supply Public water supply has been provided to the study area by the extension of trunk water lines. The Avienda project will need to install a 12-inch trunk water line from the existing end of Bluff Creek Boulevard to Powers Boulevard to complete the trunk system. These trunk water lines will supply water to the development area through a local system of water lines to be constructed as development occurs. Each development will be responsible for the following: • Conformance to the City of Chanhassen Comprehensive Water Supply Plan. • Minnesota Department of Health permit(s) for the extension of water supply systems. • Water Access Charges (WAC) related to their development. • The proportional share of the costs of Trunk Water Supply lines. • Construction of local water supply lines to serve the development. Traffic/Transportation Mitigation Initiatives There are a number of specific traffic/transportation initiatives already constructed to adequately address potential development impacts. As discussed in the AUAR Question 21-Traffic and Appendix 5-Traffic Analysis, the mitigation approaches outlined below depend on the remaining AUAR development growth.. 1. Proposed improvements to accommodate the remaining AUAR development traffic include the following: a. With the improvements already constructed, the TH 212 interchange at the east end of the AUAR Development will be able to accommodate project traffic at acceptable levels of service. b. Improvements to Audubon Road include adding left-turn lanes on the northbound and southbound (Audubon Road) approaches to the intersection with Lakeview Drive. c. Based on the capacity analysis for Scenario F-2 and F-3, the following intersections should be monitored for potential signalization (if volumes warrants are met) as the area develops: a) Lyman Boulevard & Audubon Road North/NW Quadrant Access b) Lyman Boulevard & Sunset Trail/NE Quadrant Access c) Powers Boulevard & Pioneer Trail Chanhassen 2005 Alternative Urban Areawide Review 2016 Update Page 46 3. When plans for reconstruction of existing roads or construction of new roads are developed, incorporate design considerations that will mitigate noise impacts. These design considerations would include landscaping, berming and speed limit controls. 4. Coordinate development of perimeter road connections (such as where a collector roadway within the project area connects to Audubon, Lyman or Pioneer Trail) with Carver County, the City of Chaska and adjacent neighborhoods. 5. Ensure subdivisions include plans for Pedestrian and Bicycle movement in and through the project area as well as linkages to the greater community. Roadway designs will meet the City’s current design standards for on-street and off-street trail connections. The City will work with Carver County to preserve Right-of-Way (ROW) for off road trails. Land Use Management Initiatives The project area is unique because of its topographical features and the Bluff Creek corridor. This uniqueness poses challenges to development. Efforts to minimize impacts on the Bluff Creek corridor and to maintain as much of the pristine environmental presence of the site will have to come from combined public and private actions. The City of Chanhassen is well positioned from a regulatory position to guide development in a manner that achieves the objectives of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan and Bluff Creek Watershed Natural Resource Management Plan. Specific strategies that enable the City to achieve these objectives include: o Transfer of density—this approach to development would enable a developer to move units within a development project from areas that are desired to be preserved to areas that are less sensitive. The developer would not loose density in the project by interjecting a broader mix of units and lot sizes. o Clustering of housing units—this is a conservation development approach used to minimize development impacts on adjacent resource areas. Although it is more widely used in rural developments, it can be used in urban settings to obtain the same resource protection results. Clustering in an urban setting will also reduce infrastructure thereby reducing up front and longer term maintenance costs. In general terms, clustering requires smaller lot sizes, reduced street widths to balance increased protection areas. This would likely be used in conjunction with a transfer of density when properties have environmental protection areas and involve a Planned Unit Development (PUD) process. As the project area develops, there will be a need for park improvements. The City will use its existing park dedication policies to help fund these improvements. Monitoring of Development in the AUAR Area and Future Updates to the AUAR The AUAR assumes a hypothetical development scenario. Because it is based on assumptions, it is important that actual development be monitored and compared to the development that was assumed in the development scenario. Tracking of this development will be done through the City’s existing GIS system. The developer as part of the final plat process will submit electronic plats consistent with city development requirements in a compatible form to the City’s GIS system. This data will enable the City to maintain an ongoing inventory of platted lots and the ability to directly tie building permits to the lots so that occupied housing units could be tracked in the development area. The City’s existing GIS system has the capacity to perform this task. As required by Minnesota Rule 4410.3610 Subpart 7, to remain valid, the AUAR must be updated if any of the following events should occur: o Five years have passed since the AUAR and mitigation plan were adopted and all development within the project area has not been given final approval. Chanhassen 2005 Alternative Urban Areawide Review 2016 Update Page 47 o A comprehensive plan amendment is proposed that would allow an increase in development than what was assumed in the development scenario. o Total development within the area would exceed the maximum levels assumed in the environmental analysis document. o Development within any subarea delineated in the AUAR would exceed the maximum levels assumed for that subarea in the document or is of a different land use type. o A substantial change is proposed in public facilities intended to service development in the area that may result in increased adverse impacts on the environment. o Development or construction of public facilities will occur differently than assumed in the development scenario such that it will postpone or alter mitigation plans or increase the development magnitude. o New information demonstrates that important assumptions or background conditions used in the analysis presented in the AUAR are substantially in error and that environmental impacts have consequently been substantially underestimated. o The RGU determines that other substantial changes have occurred that may affect the potential for, or magnitude of, adverse environmental impacts.