INFORMATION #1 04-30-2001tkiver
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
INFORMATION
Memorandum
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
STEPHEN ROHLF, BUILDING AND
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
APRIL 30, 2001
SUBJECT:
COMMERCIAL ASPHALT LOCATED
IN NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE
INTERSECTION OF US TRUNK
HIGHWAY 169 AND 221sT AVENUE
Staff has had numerous discussions with Ernest Toth regarding Commercial Asphalt's
(Tiller Corporation) hot mix plant. All of these discussions were after this operation was
approved through the city's conditional use permit process and built. Staff offers the
following responses to Mr. Toth's comments:
MAP: Mr. Toth indicated to staff that the map he received showed the proposed batch
plant in the southwest corner of Tiller's site. He stated that he would have objected to the
operation during conditional use permit process, if he had known the plant was being
proposed in the southeast corner of the site. Attached is the only version of the map
for the operation that staff used. It is conceivable that a passing glance at this map
could lead you to believe the plant was proposed in the southwest corner of the site, north
is not oriented to the top of the map.
PULIC HEARING NOTICE: Mr. Toth indicated that he had planned on attending the
City Council meeting to raise con. cerns regarding this issue, but that he only received
notification of the Planning Commission meeting and not of the City Council meeting.
Attached is the public hearing notice that was sent regarding Tiller's operation and
a list of adjacent property owners that received it. Mr. Toth is on this list. You will
note on the public hearing notice that the second sentence notices the time and place of
the Council public hearing.
BERM AND TREES: Tiller's conditional use permit (attached) requires a minimum
of a four foot high berm be placed between their operation and Highway 169, toward the
direction of Mr. Toth's property. This berm is in place, but is approximately twice as
high as required. Through their conditional use permit, Tiller is also required to plant
three rows of evergreens on top of the berm. To make planting the grasses easier, staff
allowed Tiller to establish vegetation on the berm prior to planting the trees. Having the
grass established first also helps hold the moisture for the newly transplanted trees, which
are always hard to make survive on top of a berm. When Tiller took part in the
realignment of 221st Ave., their berms had to be disturbed. They have reestablished the
Phone: 763.441.7420
Fax: 763.441,7425
www. ci.elk- river, mn.us
vegetation on the berms and the three rows of trees are scheduled to be planted this
spring. ,
AIR EMMISSIONS AND ODOR: The conditional use permit has control mechanisms
requiring Tiller to cut back on the amount of recycled asphalt they used when odor
becomes an issue and even stop operations under certain weather condition (e.g. an
inversion). Their air emission permit from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
regulates particulates, opacity, etc. and requires periodic testing. The plant is equipped
with a bag house. The most recent reporting on Tiller's bag house testing is attached.
Also attached is an article regarding a national ecological award Tiller recently won
for this particular plant. Complaints should go to Tiller first so they can adjust their
operation and then to the city, only if Tiller does not respond appropriately.
REVIEW OF PERMIT: There is no sunset clause on the attached conditional use
permit. If warranted, the Council can direct this permit back through the process with
public hearing. It would first go to the Planning Commission for review and
recommendation. Staff feels Tiller's asphalt plant is well run under a strict
conditional use permit and does not feel requiring an additional review is
warranted.
L
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CI'II- O1;' ELI/
NOTICE OF PIIIILIC
The Elk River Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, July 22, 1997,
at 6:30 p.m., at the Elk River City Hall, 13065 0rono Parkway, to consider a request by Tiller
Corporation for a Conditional Use Permit for Mineral Excavation and Asphalt Plant. (Case No.
CU 97-19)
The Elk River City Council will also conduct a public hearing concerning this matter Monday,
August 18, 1997, at 6 p.m., at City Hall.
Legal description of the subject property is the NE ¼ of the SE ¼ of Sec. 4 Twp. 33 Range 26,
lying east of railroad right-of-way except the northern 525';
And,
the E ½ of the SW ¼ of Sec. 3, Twp. 33, Range 26, lying west of US 169, Except the northerly
525';
And,
the W ½ of the SW ¼ of Sec. 3, Twp. 33 Range 26, Except the north 525' thereof;
And,
That part of the N 1121.92' of the SW ¼ of Sec. 10, Twp. 33 Range 26, Sherburne County, MN
lying E of a line which begins at a point on the N line of said NW ¼ distant 965.801; thereof;
thence south at a right angle 1121.92 feet; and lying W of the westerly right-of-way line of US
Highway No. 169 as laid out and traveled in 1963.
As part of the review process for request of this nature, we attempt to notify all property owners
at least 350 feet in distance from the subject property. The tax records from the Sherburne
County Auditor's Office indicated that you own property within or near the 350 foot
requirement.
· All interested persons are invited to attend the public hearing to express their questions and/or
comments. Hearing impaired persons planning to attend who need an interpreter or other
persons with disabilities who require auxiliary aids should contact Sandy Thackeray, City
Clerk, at 441-7420 by July 18, 1997. If you would like information regarding the above-
described public hearing notice, please call Elk River City Hall at 441-4902.
Stephen Rohlf, Building & Zoning Administrator
s:\planning\phncu- 19.doc
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CITY OF ELK RIV~C~ ........
AGREEMENT FOR ISSUANCE OF
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
FOR MINERAL EXCAVATION
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this
1997, by and between the CITY OF ELK RIVER, a municipal corporation organized
under the laws of the State of Minnesota (City), and TILLER CORPORATION, a
Minnesota corporation, hereinafter referred to as (operator);
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Operator has made application to City for approval of a
conditional use permit to operate a gravel mining operation within the City on
property legally described as follows:
The Northeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 4,
Township 33, Range 26, lying east of railroad right-of-way, except the
North 525 feet thereof; and
The East Half of the Southwest Quarter of Section 3, Township 33,
Range 26 lying west of US Highway 169, except the North 525 feet
thereof; and
The West Half of the Southwest Quarter of Section 3, Township 33,
Range 26, except the North 525 feet thereof; and
That part of the North 1121.92 feet of the Northwest Quarter of
Section 10, Township 33, Range 26 lying east of a line which begins at
a point on the north line of said Northwest Quarter distant 965.801
feet east, as measured along the north line from the northwest corner
thereof; thence south at a right angle 1121.92 feet; and lying west of
the westerly right of way line of US highway 169 as laid out and
traveled in 1963;
All in Sherburne County, Minnesota.
(the Property); and
Page 3
Operator, which plans and materials are the basis for the City's
approval of the Conditional Use Permit.
(O3)
The Operator shall orally notify the City of any violations of this
permit within 24 hours and follow this with notification in
writing within 4 working days of the violation. The operator
shall notify the City annually in writing of the total area and
amount of material mined and projected estimates of area and
amount of material to be mined in the following year. This is to
be done at time of hcense renewal.
(O4)
The hcense must be renewed annually and shall run from
January 1st through December 31st. The annual license fee is
that which is specified by City Code at time of renewal. This
license fee is not in lieu of gravel tax collected by the County
and a portion of which the City receives.
(05) Violations of this Conditional Use Permit may result in
suspension or revocation.
(06)
The City Building and Zoning Administrator and/or his/her
agents shall be permitted to inspect the operation for compliance
with the conditions of this permit during normal hours of
operation.
(07)
The City's approval of this Conditional Use Permit is subject to
the approval of appropriate permits by other governmental
agencies.
(08) No explosives shall be allowed for this operation.
(09) .Reclamation
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Reclamation shall be implemented on an annual basis
pursuant to the reclamation plans submitted by the
Operator.
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Each year a plan for that year's reclamation shall be
approved by the Building and Zoning Administrator prior
to issuance of the annual mineral excavation license.
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The reclamation shall include top soil from the site being
preserved and put back into place after mining.
The vegetation established for the reclamation must be
maintained until it is self sufficient.
f:\shrdockb&z\stever\gravcup.doc
(12)
(13)
(14)
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Water, but no chemical agents, shall be used to control
dust as necessary.
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The City reserves the right to require additional
measures to be taken, if warranted by dust problems,
including but not limited to reducing stock pile heights.
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221st Ave. from the entrance to the pit to US Trunk
Highway 169 as well as the parking and drive for the hot-
mix asphalt plant shall be paved.
..Hours of Operatio____~n
All mineral excavation, processing, and sales activities shall be
conducted between the normal hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.,
Monday through Saturday, except the hours for the hot-mix
asphalt plant can be extended by the Building and Zoning
Administrator for special cases.
.N, oise
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The noise from screening and crushing associated with
this operation shall be controlled by equipment location
on site, the placement of stock piles, and the type of
equipment used.
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Noise levels associated with this operation, shall at no
time exceed State standards.
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The City reserves the right to require additional
measures be taken, if warranted by noise.
Air Emissions
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The MPCA air emission permits for all equipment
associated with the mining and hot-mix asphalt
operations shall remain current.
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A maximum of 20 % opacity is allowed for emissions from
the hot-mix asphalt plant.
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Baghouse fin, es are allowed to be used in the hot-mix
asphalt.
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That the baghouse is inspected for leaks once per month
during the construction season with the results copied to
f-'\shrdockb&zkstever\gravcup.doc
(19)
(2O)
Page 7
notification shall be followed up in writing within
working days.
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4
The appropriate storm water permits shall be obtained by
the Operator from MPCA.
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Stockpiles of recyclable asphalt not be placed in surface
water and run-off from these stockpiles shall be directed
away from surface waters. Further, the size of the stock
piles is limited to the amount of material that can be used
in one year, but need not necessarily be used in one year
and can be stored over winter.
That the mining and hot-mix asphalt operations take
place a minimum of five (5) feet above the water table.
Any deviation to this requirement will require an
amendment to this permit.
Gravel washing operations are prohibited at this site and
will require an amendment to this permit to be allowed in
the future.
The Operator shall have an approved hazardous waste
license for this facility and properly dispose of or recycle
all waste.
Floor drains from maintenance facilities shall not be
allowed to discharge untreated to a septic system.
Signage for the gravel and asphalt hot-mix plant shall be
allowed as per the I-2 zone. Further, no bill boards are allowed
on the subject property.
Odor
Odor from the hot-mix operation must be controlledl If weather
conditions make odor noticeable, the percentage of recycled
asphalt must be reduced. If odor problems can not be resolved
by the Operator, the Planning Commission for the City shall
review the situation with a public hearing and make a
recommendation to the City Council on whether or not the
operation of the hot-mix asphalt plant shall be allowed to
continue.
f:\shrdoc\b&z\stever\gravcup.doc
Page 9
(04) Waiver- Any waiver, whether express or implied, by any party of
a breach of any provision of this Agreement will not operate as or be
construed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach of this Agreement.
(05) Notices- All notices and demands specified herein shall be
deemed appropriately and timely given when delivered personally or
deposited in the United States mail to the addresses hereinafter set
forth by certified mail (return receipt requested). The addresses of the
parties hereto are as follows until changed by written notice given as
above:
If to the City at:
City of Elk River
ATTN: Building and Zoning Administrator
13065 Orono Parkway ,P.O. Box 490
Elk River, Minnesota 55330-0490
If to the Operator at:
Tiller Corporation
Attn: Brent Schlueter
PO Box 1480
Maple Grove, Minnesota-55311-6480
(06) Incorporation by Referenco,- All plans, special provisions,
proposals and specifications, submitted pursuant to this Agreement
shall be and hereby are made a part of this Agreement by reference as
fully as ff set forth herein in full.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the City and Operator have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed on the day and year first above written.
CITY OF ELK RIVER
Its: City Administrator
OPERATOR:
TILLEi?/;~ORPORATION ~
- G;. !~ "- . ~
BY.
f:\shrdoc\b &z\stever\gravcup.doc
STATE OF MINNESOTA
SS.
COUNTY OF SHERBURNE
Page 11
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this IS~- day of
5~--~T~5~- ., 1997, by~,,~ (~vc~., the ~-e.u~- q, ce ~~f Tiller
Corporation, a Minnesota corporation, on behalf of the corporation.
Notary Public'
This instrument was drafted by:
City of Elk River
Building and Zoning Department
13065 Orono Parkway
PO Box 490
Elk River, MN 55330
f:\shrdoc\b &z\stever\gravcup.doc
r/ CAOMMERCIAL
SPHALT CO.
10633 89th Avenue No. · P.O. Box 1480
Maple Grove, MN 55311-6480
Phone (612)424-5400 · Fax (612) 739-2081
April 16, 2001
Mr. Stephen Rohlf
Building and Zoning Administrator
City of Elk River
13065 Orono Parkway, P.O. Box 490
Elk River, MN 55330
Re: 2000 Baghouse Inspection Form
Dear Mr. Rohlf:
In accordance with the requirements of our Conditional Use Permit, enclosed is a copy
our baghouse inspection form for the 2000 operating season at our plant in Elk River.
The first day of production was April 24, and the last day was November 17.
Please contact me if you have any questions regarding this information.
Sincerely,
Michael Caron
Regulatory Compliance Coordinator
Enclosures
This Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Plant 908 - Elk River
Annual / Monthly Inspections. 2000
Air Emission Registration Permit Option D
a= PHALT
Tuned the dryer
MONTHLY INSPECTIONS - This plant does not operate during January, February, March and December.
ducts, connecti, nd housin
interior cleanin~ment
ducts, connections and housin
)ected interior cleani~ment
ducts, connections and housin
interior cleanin e~_q_U~ment
interior clea nin e.g_~LU_~ment
ucts, connections and housin
Iterior clea nin e_g~_q_U~m ent
ducts, connections and houSin
interior cleaning equipment
interior cleaning equipment
Any questions regarding the content of this form, how to complete the entries, or
application to air emission permit Compliance contact Carnie Pederson at (612) 315-6010
File: CACCHECK 03/01/00
Serving Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota
October 20, 2000 ' c_: .... , ~o'~. '~' ~ '~^ Per Issue
Good neighbor
Commercial Asphalt Compa-
ny, Elk River, Minn., was a
winner in the "existing facilities"
category of the National Asphalt
Pavement Association's (NAPA)
Ecological Awards contents.
According to NAPA, winners
must be leaders not only in pre-
serving and protecting the natur-
al environment but also in
· promoting the well being of the
people who work and live in their
communities. Commercial As-
phalt Company, NAPA noted,
"demonstrated a commitment to
PHILIP HRL:E; ?-:T :--;UPT S14
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Associated
Construction
Publications
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both these principles through
their safe and responsible envi-
ronmental practices and through
their implementation and sup-
port of programs that educate the
public about the hot-mix asphalt
(HMA) industry."
'After operating a HMA facility
at one site for 12 seasons, Com-
mercial Asphalt relocated its'
plant to a s. ite two miles north and
closer to' an aggregate source.
This reduced the amount of [tuck
traffic. Judges in the NAPA con-
test noted that Commercial As-
phalt "carefully planned every
aspect of the facility to be not
only energy-efficient but also to
eliminate any possible concerns
by neighbors. The company im-
proved the plant with environ-
mental and safety, features that
incorporate latest technology. It
also added many energy-efficient
upgrades to the 1986 drum mix
plant. These included a new
computerized control house, four
250-ton 'silos that replaced three
120-ton silos, and two 40,000:'
gallon vertical AC tanks. A new.
quality management !ab measur-
ing 42 feet by 21 feet incorporates
the newest technologies, includ:
ing an incertation oven for use in
determining AC content in mix
design and a gyratory compactor
for use in Superpave design."
Commercial Asphalt con-
tributed more than $200,000 to
road improvement at the site.
The improvements included new
turn and acceleration lanes on
U.S. Highway 169 and the lower-
ing, straightening, and paving of
the City of Elk River Street in
front of its facility. A 12-foot-high
berm shields the neighborhood
from the plant's day-to-day actiV-
ities. The entire property is
fenced and landscaped. In Min-
nesota, the plant is viewed as a
model for HMA facilities
elsewhere.