Mayo Clinic's 'Unbound' impact report ready for council review
Sep. 22—ROCHESTER — An updated review of potential impacts of Mayo Clinic's $5 billion "Bold. Forward. Unbound. in Rochester" project is set to be considered for formal city adoption.
The original draft of the Alternative Urban Areawide Review was filed with the city for review on May 20 , and the 363-page updated version includes responses from state agencies.
The report, commonly referred to as a AUAR, combines elements of an Environmental Assessment Worksheet and Environmental Impact Statement review processes. The primary 59-page document uses a list of questions adapted from the environmental worksheet, but analysis that reflects urban area impacts comparable. Additional multi-page documents submitted as part of the AUAR include a variety of supporting details.
In a report to the Rochester City Council, Community Development planner Elliot Mohler states: "Environmental analysis information from an AUAR is used to inform local planning and zoning decisions by evaluating how the proposed development will affect the environment of the community before the development occurs."
As the local governing body responsible for oversight of the report regarding the Mayo Clinic expansion project, the City Council will be asked to officially adopt the AUAR during its regular meeting at 6 p.m. Monday in council chambers of the city-county Government Center, 151 Fourth St. SE.
The report reflects study of a nearly 20-acre area, which includes 14 parcels generally north of Second Street Southwest and south of Civic Center Drive. The western boundary is Seventh Avenue Northwest, and the eastern edge of the area is First Avenue Northwest.
The planned expansion project includes the construction of four new medical buildings and the expansion of the existing Prospect Utility Plant.
The wide-ranging report includes studies of traffic patterns , details about the wildlife habitat , notices of contaminated soil, proposed parking plans and a variety of other details with the intention of identifying any environmental concerns prior to the start of new construction.
It also outlines preliminary plans for some changes, including how patients will access the Gonda and Mayo buildings using a new street through the Annenberg Plaza during planned construction.
In addition to city staff, the report was reviewed by state agencies, which included he Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office.
The review process for the documents started in February, with a submission to the state's Environmental Quality Board, which was followed by the draft of the current report being filed with the city.
The Environmental Quality Board's comment and objection periods ended Sept. 4, 2024.
While the Rochester City Council is being asked to formally adopt the AUAR, the action does not suggest the city approves of future applications related to the project. Future development plans will be required to follow the city's established review and approval process.
Meetings scheduled to be held during the week of Sept. 23 include:
—City Council, 6 p.m. Monday in council chambers of the city-county Government Center, 151 Fourth St. SE. The meeting will livestream at www.rochestermn.gov/meetings/council-meetings and be available on Spectrum cable channel 180 or 188.
—Police Civil Service Commission, 3 p.m. Tuesday in room 164 of the Development Services and Infrastructure Center.
—Public Utility Board, 4 p.m. Tuesday in the Rochester Public Utilities community room, 4000 East River Road NE.
—Heritage Preservation Commission, 5 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers of the Government Center.
—Planning and Zoning Commission, 5 p.m. Wednesday in council chambers of the Government Center.
Olmsted County
—Commissioner education with Child and Family Services, 5 p.m. Tuesday at 2117 Campus Drive SE.
—Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments, noon Wednesday in conference room 186 at 2122 Campus Drive SE in Rochester.
Rochester Public Schools
—School Board, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the boardroom of the Edison Building, 615 Seventh St. SW.
Destination Medical Center
—DMC Corp. Board, 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive SE
