5.1. PCSR 10-12-2010r~/
Elk REQUEST FOR ACTION
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River
To Item Number
Planning Commission 5.1.
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Planning Items October 12, 2010 Rebecca Haug, Environmental Admin
Item Description Reviewed by
Request byPlaisted Companies, Inc. for Conditional Use Permit
to amend existing CUP to allow leaf composting, Public Hearing Reviewed by
-Case No. CU 10-20
Action Requested
Staff supports a Planning Commission recommendation of approval for the amendment as presented.
Background/Discussion
Plaisted Companies has made application to operate a leaf composting operation at their facility in Elk
River. Plaisted Companies has entered into an agreement with the City of Elk River to remove the grass,
leaves, and wood waste from the City's collection site. The material is then brought to Plaisted's facility
to be mixed and placed in windrows. The material is monitored and turned until it is ready to be used.
This process takes about eight months.
This material is then used byPlaisted for potting soil, rain garden mixes, MNDOT soils, etc. A portion is
also brought back to the City's collection site for residents to use. Plaisted is looking at a second phase of
this program which would consist of hauling in material from other cities. They are working with a
company who currently has contracts with other cities.
The hours of operation will continue to be consistent with the current facility. Odors will be controlled
by monitoring the heat and turning the piles as needed. This process has added 2-3 jobs at the facility.
Financial Impact
None
Attachments
Location Map
• Site Plan
General Information
Location and Size Approximately 231 acres north of Sherburne County Rd 33 and
west of hwa 169
Applicant Plaisted Companies, Inc.
60 Day Rule The application has been deemed complete as of September 13,
Case File: CU 10-20
Page 2
Plaisted Companies, Inc
Yard Waste Site
2010. The City must take action by November 1, 2010.
Requested Action Approval of Conditional Use Permit
Overview
Plaisted Companies, Inc. is seeking a Conditional Use Permit amendment to operate a leaf
composting operation at their facility.
The use would be limited to the southwestern portion of the mine. Based on aerial photographs,
the nearest residential unit is 250 feet from the proposed area dedicated to composting operations.
Analysis
Expected typical concerns related to composting businesses include traffic, dust and storm water
control regulations. The conditional use permit allowing the composting business refers to
limitations. The regulations established by Plaisted's Conditional Use Permit, with regard to hours
of operation, traffic access and off site distribution, dust and storm water control will be followed.
ACtIOn Motion by Second by Vote
Follow Up
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Plaisted Companies is requesting an amendment of our conditional use permit for the purpose of
allowing leaf composting at our facility in Elk River.
We currently have an agreement with the city of Elk River to remove the grass, leaves and wood waste
from the city's collection site when full. We bring the components to our facility, mix them in the proper
composting ratios and place them in windrows. We then monitor the temperatures weekly, turn the
piles accordingly and in about eight months we have a useable compost material. The product is then
screened to remove any debris, stones and woody material.
As part of our agreement, the city then places a portion of this finished product back at the dropp off
site so residents can load in small quantities as needed. The balance of the finished product is
consumed by Plaisted Companies daily blending of potting soils, rain garden mixes, MNDOT soils, etc.
This I believe has been a good project for both Plaisted Companies and the city. Before our partnership,
the city was merely dumping the raw components in large piles at the city property on county road 12
and did not have the room or budget to compost the materials properly.
Part two of our composting plan would be to haul in processed materials from other cities, process them
in the same fashion and consume that material in our daily business. We are working with a company
called Organic Technologies who has contracts with various cities to supply us with more raw
components.
Our hours of operation would be consistent with our current sand and gravel operation. There will be
no consumer drop off sites at our facility and any sites proposed would be screened by the use of berms
and greenery.
Organic smell is controlled by monitoring the heat and turning the piles as needed. Raw components (ie
wet grass) are quickly mixed with leaves and woodchips to aerate and defuse the odor.
Overall, the advent of composting and horticulture blends have added approximately 2-3 jobs at our
company, with additional growth of up to 5 new jobs in the near future.
Composting is a critical step in reducing the volume of waste needlessly sent to landfills for disposal. We
are proud to be a part of the solution.
Plaisted Companies is requesting an amendment of our conditional use permit for the purpose of
allowing leaf composting at our facility in Elk River.
We currently have an agreement with the city of Elk River to remove the grass, leaves and wood waste
from the city's collection site when full. We bring the components to our facility, mix them in the proper
composting ratios and place them in windrows. We then monitor the temperatures weekly, turn the
piles accordingly and in about eight months we have a useable compost material. The product is then
screened to remove any debris, stones and woody material.
As part of our agreement, the city then places a portion of this finished product back at the drop off site
so residents can load in small quantities as needed. The balance of the finished product is consumed by
Plaisted Companies daily blending of potting soils, rain garden mixes, MNDOT soils, etc. This I believe
has been a good project for both Plaisted Companies and the city. Before our partnership, the city was
merely dumping the raw components in large piles at the city property on county road 12 and did not
have the room or budget to compost the materials properly.
Part two of our composting plan would be to haul in processed materials from other cities, process them
in the same fashion and consume that material in our daily business. We are working with a company
called Organic Technologies who has contracts with various cities to supply us with more raw
components.
Our hours of operation would be consistent with our current sand and gravel operation. There will be
no consumer drop off sites at our facility and any sites proposed would be screened by the use of berms
and greenery.
Organic smell is controlled by monitoring the heat and turning the piles as needed. Raw components (ie
wet grass) are quickly mixed with leaves and woodchips to aerate and defuse the odor.
Overall, the advent of composting and horticulture blends have added approximately 2-3 jobs at our
company, with additional growth of up to 5 new jobs in the near future.
Composting is a critical step in reducing the volume of waste needlessly sent to landfills for disposal. We
are proud to be a part of the solution.
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