Park Cove Development AUAR, Minnetrista

WSB staff assisted the City of Minnetrista with the development of an Alternative Urban Areawide Review for the Park Cove development site. This site consists of 512 acres located on Lake Minnetonka. Two different development scenarios were created and evaluated. The creation of these scenarios included extensive input from City staff, the Planning Commission, and City Council. The site was unique due to large tracts of high quality wooded areas, proximity to Lake Minnetonka, and issues associated with storm water management and the transportation infrastructure. Additionally, the City was facing the need to increase density in the area, per agency requirements.

As part of the AUAR, evaluation of the environmental impact on these resources was undertaken. This included:

• Natural Resource Evaluation: As part of this analysis, an 80-acre maple-basswood forest that was on the property was evaluated by WSB biologists and the Department of Natural Resources. From this assessment, specific mitigation measures that would preserve the woods within a dense development were developed to reduce environmental impacts on the woods.
• Traffic Study: A traffic study was undertaken to analyze the impact of the development on the local and regional transportation system, including TH 7. This study identified the need for a new alignment of a major intersection, as well as traffic signals and turn lanes at other intersections.
• Storm Water Management: The development’s proximity to Lake Minnetonka, a water body with regional significance, required additional water quality analysis to determine the impact of development on the lake. As part of this analysis, a storm water quantity and quality model was developed and specific mitigation measures to protect the lake were incorporated into the AUAR.

The local residents were also very interested in the proposed development of this site. Two public meetings with 40-50 residents were held to review the AUAR and the environmental review process, as well as review the results of the AUAR. Individual site meetings with residents were also held to be sure the City understood their concerns.

Client: City of Minnetrista
Completion: Spring 2007