4.3. SR 04-19-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. I. INTRODUCTION The Northstar Corridor is considered one of the fastest growing urban/suburban corridors in the nation. The corridor extends approximately 70 miles along the east and north shore of the Mississippi River connecting the two metropolitan areas of St. Cloud and Minneapolis-St. Paul. Alternative transportation is crucial to accommodate the rapid growth of the cities, towns and counties in this area. As part of an overall Major Investment Study of the Northstar Corridor, the Commuter Rail Feasibility Study is evaluating the potential contribution of a passenger rail service to improve public mobility in the corridor. OVERVIEW OF LAND USE IN THE CORRIDOR . Land use in the corridor consists of a variety of uses including agricultural, residential, institutional, commercial, industrial and recreational. The northern portion of the corridor, beginning in the City of Rice (Benton County), consists primarily of rural areas. St. Cloud, which includes portions of Benton, Stearns and Sherburne Counties, is considered an urbanized area. St. Cloud is home to St. Cloud State University, one of the two major educational institutions located within the corridor. Sherburne County is characterized as farmland, open land or in a natural state (undeveloped) and includes the Cities of Clear Lake, Becker, Big Lake and Elk River. Anoka County is a combination of rural, suburban and urban areas. The City of Ramsey borders the suburbs of the metropolitan area which include the Cities of Anoka and Coon Rapids. The City of Fridley is adjacent to northeast Minneapolis and is considered an urban area. The City of Minneapolis, located in Hennepin County, is an urbanized metropolitan area and home to the University of Minnesota. SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OVERVIEW A screening analysis of likely environmental and social effects of commuter rail in the Northstar Corridor was conducted to identify potential impact areas. A more detailed assessment of impact areas is conducted during an Environmental Impact Statement (ElS) which will follow this study. Impact areas addressed in an EIS and in the scope of this study are identified in the chart on the following page. In an effort to obtain current information and a local sense of community development, staff consulted with community representatives and relevant agencies in each station area. Additional information was gathered utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to identify floodplain, wetland and farmland data. Archaeological resource information was produced by the Minnesota Department of Transportation's (MnDOT) MnModel software application. Anticipated congestion levels and ridership data were determined and presented in earlier sections of the Commuter Rail Feasibility Study. . Commuter Rail Feasibility Study March 24, 1999 8-1 Social and Environmental Impacts