Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environmental Assessment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission recommends no EIS required for Moorhead Center Mall redevelopment; on-site archaeologist required
Summary
The Moorhead Planning Commission recommended to City Council on Feb. 3 that a full Environmental Impact Statement is not required for the Moorhead Center Mall redevelopment after staff found no unmitigated environmental impacts in the EAW comment period.
City staff told the Moorhead Planning Commission on Feb. 3 that after a 30-day public and agency comment period they found no unmitigated environmental impacts requiring a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Moorhead Center Mall redevelopment.
City Planner Houston described the Dec. meeting background and said staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend to City Council that an EIS is not required. The EAW reviewed demolition of the existing mall, subdivision of the property into mixed-use commercial and residential parcels, and expansion of the stormwater system, utilities and roadways.
Houston said two state agencies provided comment letters; the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) asked that the city hire an on-site archaeologist because the mall sits on the original town site and excavation could encounter archaeological items. "We will be required to hire an on-site archaeologist based on the SHPO comments," Houston said, adding staff has a local archaeologist in mind and that the archaeologist would be on-site during excavation to take notes.
A commissioner moved and seconded a recommendation to City Council that an EIS is not required; the motion passed on an affirmative vote.
Ending: The Planning Commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to City Council; the transcript did not specify when construction or demolition would start or the procurement schedule for the archaeologist.
