10-23-2019 Workshop & Council Packet

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The Planning Commission considered this case at their meeting on October 10, 2019. Bob Wenner, President of Pallet Service Corporation, provided additional input following a summary of the project by staff. He stated that they are not asking for more square footage of outdoor storage, just an increase in the height and explained that the extra three feet is for better efficiency of the product. Employees typically move bundles of material two at a time, and 14-feet only allows a stack of five bundles. Increasing the stack height to 17-feet would allow them to stack 6 bundles and haul three full loads instead of two and a half loads for each stack. Mr. Wenner stated that the company invested over $400,000 in paving the storage yard to improve fire access. A concern was raised by a local business owner regarding sawdust. This issue is unrelated to the requested amendment to the PUD, however Mr. Wenner met with the business owner and agreed to resolve the issue. Planning Commissioner Johnson moved to recommend approval of an amendment to increase the stack height limitation from 14-feet to 17-feet in the current Planned Unit Development for Pallet Service Corporation at 3213 Country Drive. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Westadt and was approved by a vote of 5-0. Other Considerations: When considering an amendment to an existing PUD, the Planning Commission is asked to consider several other considerations (A-E). A response to each of these considerations is provided below: A. How does the expansion of this operation contribute to the public welfare? This property is adjacent to a wetland area and has significant unstable soil issues. This would make it difficult to construct a large industrial structure without significant engineering and soil correction. The recent improvements to the yard make it possible increase the height of outdoor storage. The lumber packages are neatly stacked and maintained in rows of uniform height and depth. In addition, Pallet Service Corporation has become a major employer in Little Canada. They started out employing 5 FTE positions in 2011 and have grown to 48 FTE positions in 2019. The company currently employs 160 people at three locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin. B. How does the expansion of this operation impact emergency services? The company worked with Little Canada Fire Marshal Jim Lee to comply with Minnesota State Fire Code requirements for outside storage of finished lumber products. The investment in a paved asphalt surface improves safety and accessibility. The yard has also been striped in order to maintain proper fire lane width. C. Does the expansion of this operation detract from the use of neighboring property or from the character of the neighborhood? The improved asphalt surface will help with dust control and will also help with traffic issues on the shared private drive with the neighboring businesses, as it allows for several additional loading areas that were not available before this project was completed. This type of use has been at this location since it was developed as a Knox Lumber site the early 1970’s. One of the factors for considering outdoor storage in any district is visibility and screening. The facility is well-screened from all sides. The entire north side of the property (which is the most visible from the public) is screened by the existing buildings which are 22-26 feet tall. The grade of the property also drops approximately 9-feet from north to south, providing additional natural screening. If approved, the additional lumber storage will be screened from both Country Drive and I-694 to the north.