Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR)

What is an AUAR?

An Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) is an environmental review process that evaluates the potential impacts of different development scenarios within a defined area. It helps city leaders and the public understand how land use changes could impact natural resources, infrastructure and the community before any development occurs. Unlike environmental reviews that focus on a single project, an AUAR assesses multiple development scenarios. This allows the city to evaluate how different plans might affect the area and make informed choices about future growth. 

An AUAR evaluates how different development scenarios could impact:

  • Climate Adaption and Resilience

  • Land Use 

  • Geology/Soils 

  • Water Resources 

  • Contamination/Hazardous Wastes 

  • Fish/Wildlife/Plant Communities 

  • Historic Properties 

  • Visual 

  • Air 

  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions 

  • Noise 

  • Transportation 

The review also identifies potential mitigation strategies to minimize environmental impacts. The city is responsible for implementing strategies to reduce negative effects and ensure sustainable development.

What scenarios are being studied as part of the AUAR?

The AUAR for the Mapping NW Main study area will analyze two development scenarios:

  • Scenario 1 is the city's existing 2040 Comprehensive Plan for the study area. Scenario 1 focuses higher-density and commercial development along both sides of Main Street, with lower-density residential development to the north and south. Medium-density housing would bridge the space between the high-density areas and the low-density areas.  As the city’s existing guidelines, this scenario is required to be evaluated by the AUAR. 

  • Scenario 2 is the result of feedback collected from community members. This scenario centralizes higher- and medium-density housing and commercial development near the Lino Lakes/Blaine border around the Main Street and Sunset Avenue, with low-density prioritized on the eastern side of the study area, backing up to existing Lino Lakes housing.

    Both scenarios include new parks, trails, and greenway space to maintain access to natural amenities. Click here to review the scenarios in more detail.   

Scenario 1 (Current Comprehensive Plan)

Scenario 2 (Plan Refined With Community Feedback)

How will the AUAR results be used?

The AUAR is not intended to determine a final development plan; it is designed to evaluate the potential impacts of the two development scenarios. The AUAR will help identify environmental considerations, inform infrastructure planning, and ensure responsible growth that aligns with community priorities and regional density requirements. 

The AUAR process is expected to take several months. The draft AUAR is anticipated to be published in summer 2025, at which point the public comment period will begin. The AUAR’s findings and comments collected during the comment period will then undergo further review by the Environmental Board before being presented to the City Council for adoption.  

Yes! Community input remains a vital part of the Mapping Northwest Main process. A 30-day public comment period will be held during the AUAR process, giving residents the opportunity to review findings, provide feedback, and ask questions. The city will share more information on when the comment period will begin once the AUAR is nearing completion.

Are there opportunities for community feedback during the AUAR process?