11-26-1985 PC MIN
ELK RIVER PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER PUBLIC LIBRARY
TUESDAY, NOVEMBR 26, 1985
Members Present: Chairman Tralle, Commissioners Temple, Warner,
Wilson and Fuchs
Members Absent:
Commissioners Merrick and Wille
Staff Present:
Rick Breezee, Building and Zoning Administrator
1. Call Meeting To Order
Chairman Tralle called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Consider Agenda for the November 26, 1985 Planning Commission
Meeting
COMMISSIONER WILSON
PLANNING COMMISSION
SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOVED TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 26, 1985
AGENDA AS AMENDED. COMMISSIONER FUCHS
THE MOTION PASSED 5-0
3.
Consider Minutes of the September 24,
Commission Meeting.
1985
Planning
COMMISSIONER FUCHS MOVED TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 24, 1985
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. COMMISSION WILSON
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 5-0.
4. Informational Meeting Regarding RFD Facility
Several NSP, UPA and Anoka officials were present at the
Planning Commission Meeting. Mr. Dale Thielen, Public
Relations Department for UPA was present and showed a film
titled "National Ecology" regarding RDF, "Refuse Derived
Fuel". Mr. Thielen stated that the proposed plant is
designed to turn garbage into fuel which would be burned to
produce electricity in Elk River's United Power Association
station.
Mr. Don Chimel, Enrvironmental Affairs, NSP discussed some
of their concerns regarding RDF facility in regards to
traffic control, hazardous waste control methods, recylcing,
ordor control system, explosion protection system,
relationship with the neighborhood, and noice abatement
system.
One of the concerns of the Planning Commission was whether
the plant would decrease the amount of garbage going to the
Elk River Sanitary Landfill. Mr. Thielen, UPA indicated
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PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
NOVEMBER 26, 1985
that the amount going to the landfill would be reduced by
70%. Approximately five percent would be recycled. The
remainder, 25 percent or 125 tons a day, must be sent to a
landfill. The county will be responsible for finding a
landfill for garbage that can't be turned into fuel. Mr.
Thielen further indicated that if refused derived fuel will
be burned in UPA's Elk River station, 17 existing jobs will
be preserved and seven additional employees will be hired.
Chariman Tralle questioned the taxable value of this plant.
Norm Schiferl, Anoka County indicated that some of the
pollution control equipment is non-taxable, but did not know
how much tax revenue the plant will generate.
Mr. Tom Woods, representing Minnesota Historical Site was
present and was concerned about the traffic and noise
because of Kelly Farm on Highway 10. if the County decides
to build a garbage transfer station at one of the three sites
in Blaine.
indicated that before any construction can
must issue a conditional use permit and
change while the County must issue a solid
Norm Schiferl indicated the plant would take
two years to build once the permits are
Chairman Tralle
begin the City
approve a zone
waste license.
approximately
approved.
Discussion was held regarding the truck traffic, litter and
environmental impact of the plant. The Building and Zoning
Administrator indicated that by having this facility we
could monitor and control what is going into the air.
Both U.P.A. and NSP indicated that they are looking forward
to working closely with the Planning Commission and City
Council on this project.
5. Consider Amendment to the Conditional Use Permit for Barthel
Construction/Public Hearing
Chairman Tralle indicated that this was just a formality as
a mistake was made at the joint meeting of the Planning
Commission and City Council on October 21, 1985 regarding
the concept for a potential pamida Store to be located at
the Barthel PUD. The amendment to the conditional use and
preliminary plat and the final plat must be advertised for a
public hearing. This was advertised for a public hearing
for both the Planning Commission in November and City
Council in December.
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PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
NOVEMBER 26, 1985
Chairman Tralle opened the public hearing. There was nobody
for or in oppostion of the request.
Chairman Tralle closed the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER TEMPLE MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL
TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT TO THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND
PRELIMINARY PLAT AND FINAL PLAT FOR BARTHEL POD.
COMMISSIONER WILSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED
5-0.
6. Consider Zone Change Request by Winnifred R. Ward/Public
Hearing
Representatives from the Law Firm of Terpstra and Black and
Century 21/White Dove Realty were present. Mr. Black stated
they wanted to convert both houses located at 907 Main and
913 Main to offices buildings. They further indicated they
were requesting that this property be rezoned to allow
professional offices to be located on this property.
Chairman Tralle opened the public hearing.
Mrs. Clifford Donais who lives at 906 Lookout Place behind
the property was against this being rezoned commercial.
Mrs. Donais questioned how this was going to increase the
value of their property by having this rezoned as commercial
property. Mr. Black indicated a home was worth more as
commercial property than as residential.
Mr. Lloyd Anderson who is a joint property owner indicated
he was in favor of rezoning this property as commercial.
Chairman Tralle closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Wilson questioned how you define the area on
the land use map when the lines are not real specific. The
building ad Zoning Administrator indicated the land use map
does show this area as being developed as CB Central
Business.
Discussion was held regarding the bermed areas and Mr. Black
indicated there would be a five or six foot retaining wall
with a hedge on top so cars could not be seen on the south
side.
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
NOVEMBER 26, 1985
The Building and Zoning Administrator indicated we do have an
ordinance on buffer zones and this would meet the
requirements between residential and commercial.
Chairman Tralle felt he could not see how they could deny
the zone change request because of the land use map and he
believes it is a good proposal.
Commissioner Warner felt the same, as two house extremely
close together give a good buffer zone and was in favor of
rezoning.
COMMISSIONER WARNER MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL
TO APPROVE A ZONE CHANGE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 997 MAIN
AND 913 MAIN FROM A RIC SINGLE FAMILY TO C2 GENERAL
COMMERCIAL. COMMISSIONER WILSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION PASSED 5-9.
7. Consider Ordinance Amendment for Detached Housing for the
Elderly
Rick Breezee, Building and Zoning Administgrator presented
this item to the City Council. The Building and Zoning
Administrator noted that he had received some informat~on
regarding "Granny Flats" from the housing commission of
Victoria, Australia and further indicated he contacted Dave
Sellergren the City Attorney and he did not have any
information regarding detached housing for the elderly. He
also approached the Metropolitian Council and League of
Minnesota Cities and they did not have any information
regarding detached structures.
Mrs. Bea Kiel who lives at 21489 Meadowvale Road was present
and was requesting that her mother be allowed to have her
own detached living area and still be close by so as to
allow relatives to still care for her.
Discussion was held regarding detached structures to be
located on the same lot as principle structures for the
purposes of the elderly.
Commissioner Warner indicated he was against detached
housing and felt you have just created another permanent
structure and where to you draw the line.
Commissioner Temple indicated she had mixed feelings on
detached structures for the elderly. She felt this could
cause a lot of problems.
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PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
NOVEMBER 26, 1985
Commissioner Wilson wanted more information on this before he
made a decision.
Chairman Tralle felt this would be awful expensive to build
a separate structure with separate water and septic system.
The Building and Zoning Administrator indicated that attached
facilities is still a choice and we do allow this. He further
indicated there would be no problem with this as they are
allowed.
It was suggested that Mrs. Kiel contact Carol Mills of the
Guardian Angels Foundation.
It was the consensus of the Planning Commission to table this
until a later date so as they could get more information on
detached housing for the elderly.
8. Consider Ordinance Amendment for Sign Ordinance
After reviewing the proposed Sign Ordinance the Planning
Commission recommended the following:
1) No illumination of lighted signs be directed toward
residential districts.
2) Check with legal council to determine whether or not a
City can regulate what is put on the face of a sign.
COMMISSION FUCHS MOVED TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO
THE CITY COUNCIL AS AMENDED AND THAT ALL BLANKS TO BE FILLED
IN. COMMISSIONER TEMPLE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
PASSED 5-0.
9. Consider Ordinance Amendment for Administrative Subdivision
Procedures
Discussion was carried on regarding Administrative Subdivisions
Procedures and it was the concensus of the Planning Commission
they would like the number of Administrative Subdivisions
procedures that a property owner can proceed with in a twelve
month time period limited to one subdivision per year. Also
they would like the legal to show the lot and block.
They felt as long as the number of times was limited to one
per year, that a park dedication be paid for any newly
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PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
NOVEMBER 26, 1985
created parcels and that a legal description describing the
property as a lot/block be established, they do not believe
that the Planning Commission would have to review it.
It was the concensus of the Planning Commission to table this
until a public hearing is advertized later in Janauray.
9.5 Selecting a New Member to the HRA
After some discussion it was the concensus by all members
that because of previous committments toward other outside
activities that they felt they could not serve on the H.R.A.
and do a thorough job.
There being no further business, COMMISSIONER FUCHS MOVED
THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED. COMMISSIONER TEMPLE SECONED
THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 5-0.
Meeting adjourned at 11:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
I
/ J!7 {lAtr>U f}Ld<u--
Sharon Maue