Loading...
08-09-2011 PC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PLANNING COMMISSION HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 201 I Members Present: Chair Ives, Commissioners Anderson, Johnson, Lemke, Scott and Westberg Members Absent: Conullissioner Bell Staff Present: Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner; Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator; Mark Thompson, Assistant Street Superintendent; Debbie Huebner, Recording Secretary 1. Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Pl~nn'na Commission was called to order at 7:10 p.m by Chair Ives. 2. Consider 8/9/11 Planning Commission Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LEMKE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 9, 2011 PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED • 6-0. 3. Consider6/14/11 Plannuig_CommissionMinutes MOVED BY COMMISSIONER WESTBERG AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON TO APPROVE THE JUNE 14, 2011 MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Planning Commission Representative to Attend Arr~ust 15 2011 City Council Meeting Chair Ives stated he was unable to attend the August 15, 2011 City Council meeting; to be determined who is able to attend. 5.1. Request byElkRiver Landfill- Inc for Land Use Amendment Case No. LU 11-01 5.2. Request byElk River Landfill Inc for Zone Change Public Hearing -Case No. ZC 11-O1 5.3. Request byElkRiver Landfill- Inc for Conditional Use Permit Public Hearing -Case No. CU 11-12 Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator, stated that these items have been postponed to the September meeting. Chair Ives opened the public hearing. There being no comments received, Chair Ives closed the public hearing. • 5.4. Request by Tiller Corooration for Conditional Use Permit Public Hearing -Case No. CU 11-13 Planning Commission Minutes August 9, 2011 --------------------------- Page 2 The staff report ass presented by Ms. Haug. She reviewed background regarding Tiller • Corporation's existing CUP and their previous application u~rich Ras denied. She explained that the amendment would allow Tiller to mine 8.9 acres (200 feet into the existing buffer area). She noted that mining from the northeast, using the material that is mined out to create a berm on the southR~st area of their entrance area R~iich gill be continuation of the berm along 221St Avenue. She stated that the berm ~~ll be vegetated this fall. If the Elk River Landfill application is approved, Tiller mill continue mining out the remainder of the 200-foot buffer. One of the conditions is that Tiller Corporation Rill be mal~ng application for an amended CUP for their property just south of the Landfill ~~rich will include a rep=iced phasing plan, a revised ben~ung and screening plan, and reclamation plan. The new plans will include continuation of the berm along 2215 Avenue. Chair Ives opened the public hearing. Mike Caron, Tiller Corporation - stated he was present to answer any questions the Plaruzing Commission may have. There being no other comment, Chair Ives closed the public hearing. Commissioner Westberg asked if the ponds in the beniung area are an issue. Ms. Haug stated those are storm water ponds are not true wetlands. Commissioner Westberg asked how this application is different than the one from 2010. Ms. Haug stated that the difference is requiring the berm along 221St Avenue. Chair Ives asked if additional berming will be required once the area is mined. Mr. Beck • stated that the maul difference between this application and the 2010 application is the city has worked out a tentative agreement with Elk River Landfill for a smaller expansion than was originallyproposed He explained that anyexpansion would require removal of the existing buffer. The screening function of the existing buffer will then be addressed bythe new bermi ~ and screening along 221St Avenue. The ultimate amendment of this C'UP as well as the Elk River Landfill CUP will require a berm before all of the remaining trees between the Landfill and 221St are taken out. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER TO RCOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST BY TILLER CORPORATION FOR AN AMENDED CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR MINERAL EXCAVATION, CASE NO. CU 11-13 WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: 1. INSTALLATION OF A BERM ALONG THE WEST ENTRANCE OF THE GRAVEL OPERATION, ALONG 221sT AVE AS SHOWN ON THE PLAN SUBMITTED BY TILLER. THIS BERM SHALL BE INSTALLED PRIOR TO REMOVING ANY TREES FROM THE 8.9 ACRE BUFFER AREA. 2. THE EXISTING CUP FOR TILLER'S OPERATION MUST BE AMENDED WITHIN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS TO ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING ISSUES: A) ANEW RECLAMATION PLAN WHICH REFLECTS THE 27.2 ACRE LANDFILL EXPANSION; • Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 August 9, 2011 --------------------------- B) CONTINUANCE OF THE BERM ALONG 221ST AVE TO THE WEST. • THIS BERM SHALL BE INSTALLED PRIOR TO REMOVAL OF ANY TREES WITHIN 1,000 FEET TO THE NORTH OF THIS BERM. 3. THE STANDARDS FOR ISSUANCE OF THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT SHALL CONTINUE TO BE MAINTAINED. 4. APPROVAL OF THE CUP AMENDMENT TO MINE THE 8.9 ACRE BUFFER AREA SHALL NOT TAKE EFFECT UNLESS AND UNTIL WMI'S APPLICATION TO AMEND ITS CUP TO DEPOSIT WASTE IN THIS AREA IS APPROVED, WITH THE EXCEPTION THAT TILLER MAY IMMEDIATELY BEGIN MINING ON THE END OF THE 8.9 ACRE BUFFER, WITHOUT REMOVING ANY SIGNIFICANT TREES ON THE EAST END FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING THE BERM IMPROVEMENTS IDENTIFIED IN # 1 ABOVE. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 5:5. Request byCit~of ElkRiverfor Conditional Use Permit forPublic Worl~ Facility, Public Hearing -Case No. CU 11-14 The staff report was presented by Chris Leeseberg. He explained that approval of the CUP would authorize Phase I to occur this fall, with bidding to take place for Phase II this winter. Mr. Leeseberg reviewed the plans for Phase I and II as detailed in the attachments to the staff report dated August 9, 2011. He noted that the landscape plan is not yet completed and screening of the yard will be the main focus. He noted that there will only be one wall • sign and either a new monument sign or relocation of the existing sign. Staff recommended approval of the CUP with the three conditions listed in the staff report. Commissioner Anderson asked if the project will meet the city's standards regarding design, landscaping, and signage. Mr. Leeseberg stated that there are no specific design standards for the I1 zoning district the site is located iri. Commissioner Anderson stated that he felt the large orange numbers on the loading doors were distasteful. Commissioner Lemke stated that he liked the numbers and felt theyfit the modern design of the building. Commissioner Scott stated that the city may wish to consider some consistency in the design and color scheme for this building in comparison to other city buildings. Mr. Leeseberg stated that the library and cityhall campus buildings are vastly different in architectural design. Commissioner Ives stated he felt the big orange numbers on the doors give the impression of a storage facility. Chair Ives opened the public hearing. There being no public comment, Chair Ives closed the public hearing. Commissioner Anderson recommended that landscaping be utilized to screen the new facilityfrom County Road 1/Proctor as much as possible. • Commissioner Lemke asked what LEED certification this building will have. Mark Thompson, Assistant Street Superintendent, stated that LEED practices and principles will Planning Commission Muiutes Page 4 August 9, 2011 --------------------------- be utilized as much as possible, but grill not have LEED cenification. He stated that the • door design is not yet "set in stone" and they could look at other options for identifying the doors. He noted that the goal is to make it easier to direct people to the correct door. Commissioner Anderson asked if the roadway backto the railroad tracks is all bituminous. Mr. Thompson noted that there already is bituminous all the way backto the compost site. He stated that R$en the compost site is moved, the roadway up to it will be bituminous. He stated that their goal is to leave a buffer between the ball field and the compost drop-off site. Commissioner Scott stated that he felt the project mill be good for the city and he was in support of approval of the request. MOTION BY LEMKE AND SECONDED BY WESTBERG TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST BY THE CITY OF ELK RIVER FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY, CASE NO. CU 11-14, WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: 5. ALIGHTING PLAN WILL NEED TO BE PROVIDED SHOWING THAT A LEVEL OF 1.5 FOOTCANDLES IS MAINTAINED. 6. A LANDSCAPE PLAN WILL NEED TO BE APPROVED BY STAFF. 7. A SIGN PERMIT WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ALL EXTERIOR SIGNAGE. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 6.1. Branding & Marketing Presentation • Mr. Barnhart stated that the Pl~nn'na Commission is asked to let staff know whether or not they are able to attend the final branding and marketing presentation scheduled for September 12, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. Commissioner Anderson stated he would not be able to attend. 7. Adjournment There being no further business, MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LEMKE TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. The meeting of the Elk River Planni ~ Commission adjourned at 7:43 p.m Minutest prepared by Debbie Huebner. ~~-- ,` '~ ~. Tina Allard City Clerk • Chatr