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City of Falcon Heights <br />Planning Commission <br />October 24, 1994 <br />ITEM: Plan review for an essential service structure (water cooling tower) at <br />Harvest States Cooperatives, 1667 Snelling Avenue <br />SUBMITTED BY: Mark Whims, W-W Constructors, on behalf of Harvest States <br />REVIEWED BY: Carla Asleson, Planner <br />EXPLANATION/DESCRIPTION: <br />Background <br />Water cooling towers use fans to remove heat from water and then channel the water <br />to operate an air conditioning system. The state Department of Natural Resources is <br />requiring that businesses convert to water cooling towers as an alternative to inefficient <br />• once-through well water systems. <br />Request <br />Mark Whims, representing W-W Constructors, has been contracted by construct a water <br />cooling tower at Harvest States Cooperatives. Such a structure is considered an <br />"essential service structure" and is a permitted use in a B-3 zoning district. However, <br />the zoning code requires that the placement of the structure be "approved by the city <br />council as being in harmony with the surrounding business district and neighborhood <br />after review and recommendation by the planning commission". The code does not <br />require notification to adjacent property owners. <br />The water cooling tower is proposed to be located behind the Snelling Avenue side of <br />the building, set back 40' from the building and approximately 75' from the south lot <br />line. It will be constructed of gray steel and will be approximately 19' in height from <br />grade to the top of the handrail. These measurements are in compliance with the <br />setback and height regulations of the B-3 zoning district. <br />The city's building official has reviewed the submitted plans and found them to be in <br />conformance with the Uniform Building Code. <br />