7.1. SR 06-16-1997ity
of
iver
FROM:
DATE:
MEMORANDUM
Item # 7.1.
City Council
Scott Harlicker, Planning Assistan~~~
June 16, 1997
SUBJECT:
Request by Camas, Minnesota
(Shiely Masonry) for a Conditional
Use Permit, Public Hearing Case
No. CU 97-8
Request
Consider a request by Camas Minnesota (Shiely Masonry) for a conditional
use permit for the construction of a masonry block manufacturing plant.
Location
11717 205th Avenue NW
Zoning/Land use
I2 (Medium Industrial) / MI (Medium Industrial)
Attachments
· Location map
· Information packet
Overview
The applicant is proposing to construct an additional block manufacturing
plant and a minor expansion on the existing plant to house blowers to cure
concrete blocks. The site is located next to the Plaisted gravel facility on
County Road 33 just west of Highway 169.
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 * Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
Memo to the Mayor and City Council
June 16, 1997
Page 2
Buildings
The proposed expansion will be located on the east side of the existing
building and is needed to enclosed the new curing system that is being
installed. It will measure approximately 25 feet by 190 feet (4750 sr.).
The new plant will be located to the north or rear of the existing facility and
will measure approximately 220 feet by 185 feet ( 40,700 sf.). The building
will be used for the manufacturing and storage of concrete blocks. The new
plant will be connected, but will not abut, the existing plant
The exterior of the existing building will be upgraded; it will be repaired and
tinted to give it a color and texture similar to the Plaisted building to the
east. The exterior of the addition and the new building will match the
upgraded exterior of the existing building.
Site improvements
The applicant is proposing the following site improvements:
Additional driveway
The applicant is proposing to construct a second access from County Road 33.
They currently have a driveway at the east end of their property. This second
driveway will be located near the west end of the property with a maximum
width of 36 feet. It will provide access to the aggregate bins which supply
aggregate to the new and existing facilities. The proposed second driveway
will require a permit from Sherburne County Highway Department. The
applicant has met with the County regarding this permit and has received
approval for the necessary permit (see attached letter). The County is will be
rebuilding County Road 33 from Highway 169 to Proctor Road, and the
applicant will be working with the County to ensure that a safe sight
distance is attained. The exact location of the new driveway will depend on
the final design of the road.
Paving
The applicant is proposing to pave the existing driveway and provide curb
and gutter. The improvements will include linking up with the recently
approved improvements to the Plaisted facility immediately to the east; the
two facilities are connected via an internal driveway. The new paving will
also tie in with a paved parking area adjacent to the existing building.
f'. \shrdoc\planning\scott\cu978cc.doc
Memo to the Mayor and City Council
June 16, 1997
Page 3
The proposed second driveway will also be paved and include curb and
gutter. The paving will extend back to the aggregate bins and curb and
gutter will extend along the entrance to a point where the driveway begins to
curve.
Landscaping
Landscaping will include planting 22 trees on the site; 20 trees will be
planted along County Road 33 and two will be adjacent to the building. There
is a wooded area on the western end of the site and 2 large trees on the
eastern end of the site. A landscaping plan will have to be provided for review
and approval.
Phasing
The applicant is proposing to phase the site improvements over 3 years (see
attached phasing plan). Paving and curbing the entrances and landscaping
will be included in the first phase. Interior paving will be included in the
second phase. A small area between the existing concrete parking lot and the
gravel bins will make up the third phase. If the existing gravel bins are
eliminated, the area included in phase 3 will be landscaped instead of paved.
The area to the east of the drive aisle that services the new aggregate bins
will be left as open space.
The phasing schedule was based on when the County will complete the
renovations to County Road 33. At the present time the new design for the
road is being worked on and work should be completed sometime during this
fall. Given those time constraints, July of next year seemed to be a
reasonable time for completing phase 1; phase 2 would be completed by July
1, 1999 and phase 3 by July 1, 2000.
Planning Commission Meeting
This application was first considered by the Planning Commission at their
April 22, 1997 meeting. At that meeting there were no comments made
during the public hearing. The Commission tabled the application and
requested additional information regarding the proposed second access. They
had concerns regarding sight distances, the condition of County Road 33 and
clarification of the phasing plan. At their May 27, 1997 meeting, the
Commission again reviewed the application and the additional information
that the applicant had provided. The Commission still had some concerns
with sight distance but felt that the issue could be worked out with the
County and the new design being done for County Road 33. A revised phasing
plan was also presented. The applicant indicated that the new access will
f: \shrdoc\planning\scott\cu978cc.doc
Memo to the Mayor and City Council
June 16, 1997
Page 4
only be used to deliver aggregate and the existing driveway will be used by
the trucks delivering concrete blocks and general vehicle traffic. There was
discussion regarding the need for right turn lanes at the two entrances; the
County is requiring one for the new access and recommended one for the
existing access. The Commission recommended that right turn lanes be
required at both entrances unless it is determined by the County that they
are not needed.
Recommendation
The Planning Commission and staff recommend that the City Council
approve Camas Minnesota (Shiely Masonry) request for a conditional use
permit for the expansion of their concrete block production facility with the
following conditions:
SITE IMPROVEMENTS SHALL BE COMPLETED IN 3 PHASES AS SHOWN ON THE PHASING
PLAN. PHASE ONE SHALL BE COMPLETED BY JULY 1, 1998, PHASE 2 BY JULY 1, 1999
AND PHASE 3 BY JULY 1, 2000.
2. LANDSCAPING WILL BE COMPLETED AS PART OF PHASE 1
RIGHT TURNS LANES ARE REQUIRED AT THE EXISTING AND PROPOSED ACCESSES
UNLESS MODIFIED BY THE REDESIGN OF COUNTY ROAD 33.
THE EXTERIOR OF THE PROPOSED EXPANSION OF THE EXISTING BUILDING AND THE
PROPOSED NEW BLOCK PRODUCTION BUILDING WILL MATCH THE EXTERIOR OF THE
EXISTING BUILDING.
THE EAST ENTRANCE BE PAVED AND PROVIDED WITH CURB AND GUTTER. THE CURB
AND GUTTER SHOULD BE CONTINUED BACK TO A LINE THAT IS PARALLEL TO THE
FRONT OF THE EXISTING BUILDING AND INCLUDE THE CONNECTION WITH THE
PLAISTED FACILITY. THE PAVING SHOULD BE EXTENDED SO THAT IT CONNECTS WITH
THE PAVED AREA CURRENTLY USED AS EMPLOYEE PARKING AND INCLUDE THE AREA
AROUND THE AGGREGATE BINS IN THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE SITE.
o
THE WEST ENTRANCE SHALL BE PAVED INCLUDING DRIVE AISLES TO THE AGGREGATE
BINS. CURB AND GUTTER SHALL BE CONTINUED FROM COUNTY ROAD 33 BACK TO
THE BEGINNING OF THE CURVE..
o
EXACT LOCATION OF THE SECOND ACCESS WILL BE VERIFIED AND APPROVED BY
SHERBURNE COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT.
o
A SITE PLAN WILL NEED TO BE SUBMITTED ILLUSTRATING THE NECESSARY
IMPROVEMENTS FOR STAFF REVIEW AND APPROVAL
ALL IMPROVEMENTS BE MADE FROM THE PLANNED 100 FOOT RIGHT-OF-WAY ALONG
COUNTY ROAD 33.
f:\shrdoc\planning\scott\cu978cc.doc
III
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LOCATION
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LOCATION
City of ~;
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Elk River, MN
IJ5'2(1'97 16:28 FAX 612 441 2264 SHERBURNE CO Hg'Y ~](ml
_ H ghway Department
P.O. BOX 338 · ELK RIVER, MN 55330 · PHONE ($12)441-1722
FAX (612) 441-226 Telephone 261-4663
May 2, 1997
Andy Vimich
CAMAS/Shiely
2915 Waters Road
Egan, Minnesota 55121
Re: Permit No. 97-33-21
Dear Mt'. Virnich:
A letter dated May 2, 1997 approving access permit (No. 97-33-21 ) applied for on
April 24, 1997 was to include thc following comments.
County Road No. 33 is scheduled for a sub grade correction, mmntenance and overlay
_project in the 1997 construction season. The driveway permit is approve contingent upon
the access obtaining a safe sight distance. The consultant designing County Road No. 33
will be addressing this issue in their design. However the final design is ~ot complete at
this time.
The new access shall have a right rum lane and iL is reconmqended that a right tul'n lane be
constructed at the existing access for saI~ty.
I will be in contact with you as the construction plans for No. 33 progress so we may
decide upon thc exact location of the requested access.
Please except our apology for any inconvenience the delay in this letter may have caused.
Il' you have any questions, please call me at ag I - 1722.
Sincerely, .
Shelly Pederson ~o -
Assistant County Engineer
CAMA$ inc - $hiely Masonry Products Division
ELK RIVER BLOCK PLANT
CAMAS
GENERAL:
Address:
Tenure:
Acres:
11717 205~h Ave. N.W., Elk River, MN 55330
Freehold
14.3 acres
LOCATION:
The Shiely Masonry block plant is located approximately 45 miles northwest of the Twin Cities in the
village of Elk River. The legal description is as follows:
A tract of land, including all buildings and improvements theron, lying and being in Elk River, County of
Sherbume, and the State of Minnesota. The west 890 feet of the south 734.05 feet of the southeast Quarter
of the southwest corner of Section 15, Townslfip 33, Range 26, according to the United States Govermnent
Survey thereof and situate in Sherbume County, Minnesota.
DESCRIPTION:
The Elk River block plant is a masonry block ~nanufacturing facility. The products manufactured at this
facility are used primarily in thc construction of buildings and in landscaping/retaining wall projecls.
OTHER:
Current
One block production line
15 plant personnel (SMP)
8 delivery personnel (independent contractor)
Annual sales of 6,000,000 block
1998 (pro,leered)
Two block production lines
25 plant personnel (SMP)
I l delivery personnel (indep. contractor)
Annual sales of 10,000,000 block
ELK RIVER PLANT OBJECTIVES:
II.
SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT
· Overall layout
· Traffic flow
· Pedestrians
· Walkways, stairways
· Machine guarding
· Noise minimization
· Dust collection / minimization
· Spill containment
· Mold set-up table
· Training
TECHNOLOGY
CAMAS
· Consistently high quality
· R & D lab
· High level of automation
· High speed
· Quick change-over capability
· Manufacturing flexibility
· Ability to test ne~v raw materials
· Computerized tracking
· Training in process, equipment and raw materials
III. ENVIRONMENT
· Comply with all regulations: air, water, l,'md, noise and light
· Zero wasle slream output
· Energy conservation: kiln heat recirculation, high efficiency motors, Iow energy curing
· Be a GREAT neighbor
IV. A GREAT PLACE TO WORK
· Safe work environment
· Employee parking area
· Lunch and locker-rooms
· Opportunily lo learn new jobs and rotate
· Good organization - ~nold area, QA lab, etc.
· Patio / courtyard area outside wifl~ tables
· Promote plant tours
· Employee involvement
· Training room / conference room
V. WORKFORCE
· Continual training and upgrading of skills aod knowledge
· Tolal Quality Management Iraining
· Commitment to performing all jobs utilizing TQM principles
· Team enviromnent and approach to solving problems
· Innovative thinking and willingness to accept calculated risk of failure when testing new ideas
NORTH PROPERTY LINE
CAMAS inc - Shiely Masonry Pro
11717 205TM Ave. N.W.
Elk River, MN 55550
s Division
CAMAS
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CAMAS inc- Shiely Masonry
11717 205th Ave. N.W.
Elk River, MN 55330
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LANDSCAPING PLAN
CAMAS inc - Shiely Masonry Products Division
11717 205th Ave. N
Elk River, MN 55330
CAMAS
Mission Statement
Through the responsible stewardship of people and resources, we shall provide quality Construction
Aggregates, Materials And Services which meet customer expectations while optimizing company value.
Business Values
We conduct ourselves with honesty and integrity at all times and show respect for others.
Our customers are the reason for our existence and are our most valuable asset. They include those who
purchase our products/services, employees, shareholders, suppliers and members of the community.
We work to understand our customers' needs and participate with them to develop solutions which meet
their expectations.
We strive to build long term relationships with our customers by treating them with integrity and respect.
Employees will be encouraged to achieve personal growth through education and involvement in the
decision-making process.
Safety must be given the highest priority and receive first consideration at all times.
We require our suppliers lo meet our expectations.
We treat our suppliers elhically and COmlnunicate our needs openly.
We recognize thai we are a pa~l of the community and we are COlmnitted to being a responsible neighbor.
As a company and employees, we take an aclivc role ill socicly.
The environment will receive a high priority and we will do our part to protect and enhance it.
We believe in and value ethical competition.
We shall join the industry to protect and promote its interests and well-being through trade associations and
professional societies.
We constantly look for new products, markets, technology and innovative practices to meet our needs and
those of our customers.
We value leadership at all levels of our organization which is open and receptive, delivers on com~nitments,
promotes our business values and coaches future leaders.
We accept responsibility lo maximize the profilabilily for our shareholders in a manner consistent with our
business values.
We value teamwork and effective colmnunications.
CAMAS
Note to members of the Elk River Planning Commission:
The following pages are excerpts from a recent edition of"The Steward", CAMAS inc's quarterly
newsletter. The first is the cover page from the publication and the second provides comments from
CAMAS inc's president, Mike Hayes, regarding the company's philosophy concerning environmental
stewardship.
The
CAMAS inc
Fall/Winter 96/97
Vol. llIissue3 A Quarterly Publication of CAMAS inc
DELIVERING VALUE
IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS...
CAMAS inc
CAMAS inc continues
reorganization page 2
Model Stone Company to
operate under Shiely banner page 3
Mike Hayes talks stewardship page 4
Colorado
BR Colorado wins
three out of seven
"Best of" awards
page 3
Cooley Gravel
turns mined land
into reservoirs
page 5
-------- Shiely
Shiely and SMP build a
playground for Mounds
Park School page 6
Kost Brothers restruc-
turing makes sharing
resources easier page 7
Flanagan restruc-
tures its plant
operations page 8
(_f2t!C[ll(?/;!llJ? [;//; /'/?': .'
Michael Hayes,
Sometime around 1990, I read a few excerpts from a book called "Leadership
Secrets of Attila the Hun." The book offered useful advice for business leaders,
ostensibly presented from an engaging and unexpected perspective. But I
remember thinking that the image of a ruthless, conquering warrior, while
certainly apropos to the "greed-is-good" attitude of the 1980s, didn't reflect
my own view of effective business leadership for the 1990s and beyond.
Building partnerships is a more appealing concept to me - and over the years,
it has proven to be a productive, rewarding approach. Conducting business
from a perspective of cooperation and mutual benefit, rather than from one
of "I-win/you-lose," has helped CAMAS inc become a respected name in
the industry and a trusted company in the communities in which we work.
Leaf through the pages of our company history and you'll see that CAMAS
inc is built on partnerships of all kinds. Our strategy of growth through
acquisition is one example. We never set out to simply buy and absorb the
assets of any company. Instead, we have always focused more on combining
our strengths with theirs for the mutual success of both entities. (Not some-
thing that Attila the Hun was famous for in his conquests.)
Other examples include Cooley Gravel Company's partnership with
Littleton, Colorado on the South Platte Park Project, and more recently their
cooperation with the city of Thornton on constructing a much-needed water
storage reservoir.
Today, CAMAS inc is continuing the corporate restructuring process begun
last year. Along with streamlining our operating structure and simplifying
our tax and legal situations, this process is strengthening the many partnerships
within the corporation. By making it easier to share equipment and resources
between operations, we are building a more cohesive, efficient company.
Of course, our ultimate goal is to strengthen the partnerships we have with
our customers and with our employees. In my eyes, these are the most
important partnerships CAMAS inc will ever have.
CAMAS inc
Readers of the October issue of Pit
& Quarry magazine got an insider's
view of the philosophy behind
CAMAS inc's record of environmental
stewardship. It came from President/
CEO Mike Hayes himself.
Hayes was interviewed in conjunction
with his being named Environmental
Steward of the Year, an award co-
sponsored by Pit & Quarry and the
National Stone Association. For those
of you who didn't get a chance to read
it, here are some excerpts:
What is your philosophy concern-
ing environmental stewardship?
The environment does
not necessarily consist
of just the air, water
trees and animals. It
consists of ourselves:
A society that is living,
working, playing, and
has a future relation to
the buildings, streets,
transportation - things
that society must have
in order to enjoy a
quality of life. So we
as aggregate producers
have to recognize what
our role is.
When we are in the
process of providing materials for
society, we should take every oppor-
tunity to do it in a manner that does
the least damage, even on a temporary
basis. But in the long run, we have to
seek ways to improve the environment
and our actual operation. In other
words, we know we are going to create
a hole. Now, how can we take that
and make it an environmental asset in
the future?
Explain environmental steward-
ship at CAMAS.
Through a teamwork approach, we've
developed an environmental policy
that is not used for compliance,
although it helps us with compliance.
It's more to say, "Okay, how are we
doing? Are we actually living an envi-
ronmental stewardship?" So it's more
of creating the atmosphere, the culture,
a consciousness, than it is doing some-
thing physical.
President/CEO Mike Hayes
Why do you think there are so
many aggregate producers who
view environmental responsibility
as a burden as opposed' to a posi-
tive contribution to society?'
I think there are many aggregate pro-
ducers who are just as conscious and
concerned. Still, people tend to ask that
question. I think that's singling out our
industry as being less responsible than
others, and I don't believe that.
In the industry [during the past], we
created holes and we left some bad
scars on the landscape, but that was
what society expected. It's awfully
easy for people to say now, "What
they did was horrible." Yes it was, but
what society did was
horrible. It wasn't that
the quarry operators
back in those days
were exceptionably
horrible. Society in
general was horrible
[about environmental
stewardship].
So I don't think there
are many aggregate
producers who do not
see the environment
as a part of their
responsibility. There
are a few, but they're
disappearing. They're
left over from the days when society
had no environmental conscience.
What advice do you have for
aggregate producers who want to
be more proactive with environ-
mental matters?
Develop a consciousness, not just lip
service, of individual responsibility
throughout the organization. Along
with that comes a recognition that we
have a responsibility to educate. You
can't ignore the fact that most people
don't understand the contribution to
the environment that our industry
makes; it is immense.
In your view, with which envi-
ronmental regulations is it the
hardest to comply?
There are a number of regulations that
do not have a lot of scientific founda-
tion. Those that are based on emotion
become issues where you just can't do
enough because sometimes people get
carried away and say, "Your dust may
cause asthma in one child." Where is
the scientific basis in that? It's almost
impossible to comply with that type
of regulation.
What do you think is the number
one environmental problem that
the aggregate industry is facing
right now?
Again, it's the lack of understanding
that society in general has regarding
the role that the industry plays.
What is that role?
It is to continue to develop ways in
which the industry enhances the total
environment, which includes wildlife
and trees, but also streets, buildings
and the ability to communicate. And
these things depend on the aggregates
industry. We're not something you can
eliminate from the environment with-
out creating immense additional envi-
ronmental damage. How would society
get along with lead roofs [instead of
asphalt shingles, for example]?
What is your proudest environ-
mental accomplishment? Is it
winning this award?
I don't think I won this award; I
think the company did. Over the
years, our employees - from the top
to the bottom - have demonstrated
that they understand where they fit
in the environment. For that, CAMAS
has been recognized as having a
sense of responsibility. That makes
me pretty proud.
What does the future hold for the
aggregate industry in regard to
environmental matters?
We will continue to address dust,
noise, pollution. I think the operators
of the future should have progressed
to the point where environmental
compliance with regulations becomes
less of an issue. A rule that seemed
impossible 10 years ago, we now
comply with it every day and don't
think a thing about it.
But it's the aesthetics of a site - people
don't like to look at stock piles or the
gravel trucks on the road - that you
need to be concerned about, too. I'm
confident that as time goes on, we'll be
able to deal with those issues.
4