(A) General. The purpose of an environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) is to assess rapidly in a worksheet format whether a proposed action is a major action with the potential for significant environmental effects, and in the case of a private action, is of more than local significance.
(B) EAW required. An EAW shall be prepared on any of the following actions, except for those exempted.
(1) Construction of a new industrial park of over 320 acres in size.
(2) Construction of a facility or integral group of facilities with at least 250,000 square feet of commercial or retail floor space or at least 175,000 square feet of industrial floor space, or a mixture of commercial, industrial and retail floor space totaling at least 250,000 square feet, unless located in an industrial park for which an EIS has already been prepared.
(3) Any industrial, commercial or residential development of 40 or more acres, any part of which is within a flood plain area, as defined by the “Statewide Standards and Criteria for Management of Floodplain Areas of Minnesota.”
(4) Construction of a commercial or industrial development, any part of which is within a shoreland area (as defined by M.S. § 103F.205, as amended from time to time), covering 20,000 or more square feet of ground space, not including access roads or parking areas, and located on a parcel of land having 1,500 feet or more of shoreline frontage.
(5) Construction of a facility that generates more than a maximum of 2,500 vehicle trips per hour or a maximum of 12,500 vehicle trips per 8-hour period.
(6) Construction or opening of a facility for mining gravel, other non-metallic minerals, and fuels involving more than 320 acres, except for peat fuels.
(7) An action that will eliminate or significantly alter a wetland of Type 3, 4, or 5 (as defined in U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Circular 39, “Wetlands of the U.S., 1956”) of 50 or more acres, either singly or in a complex of 2 or more wetlands.
(8) Any marina and harbor project of more than 20,000 square feet of water surface area.
(9) Construction of a new or additional residential development that includes 100 or more units in an unsewered area or 500 or more units in a sewered area.
(10) Construction of a residential development consisting of 50 or more residential units, any part of which is within a shoreland area.
(11) Construction of a development consisting of “condominium-type” campgrounds, mobile home parks, or other semi-permanent residential and/or recreational facilities, any part of which is within a shoreland area or floodplain exceeding a total of 50 units or, if located in areas other than the above, exceeding a total of 100 units.
(12) Conversion of 40 or more continuous acres of forest cover to a different land use.
(C) Options EAW. The Council may, upon recommendation by the Zoning Administrator or Clerk, require that an optional EAW be prepared on any proposed action if the action may be a major action and appears to have the potential for significant, environmental effects. The following guidelines shall also be considered in determining whether an optional EAW shall be required:
(1) Is the action to be in or near an area that is considered to be environmentally sensitive or aesthetically pleasing?
(2) Is the action likely to have disruptive effects such as generating traffic and noise?
(3) Are there public questions or controversy concerning the environmental effects of the proposed actions?
(4) Is the action in or near a wetland or on soils unsuitable or sensitive towards the proposed action?
(5) Is the action more than a local impact?
(Prior Code, § 907.02)