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515 Little Canada Road, Little Canada, MN 55117-1600 <br />(651) 766 -4029 / FAX: (651) 766 -4048 <br />www. ci.l ittle -can ada. mn, us <br />MEMORANDUM <br />TO: Mayor Fahey and Members of the City Council <br />FROM: Joel R. Hanson, City Administrator <br />DATE: October 3, 2002 <br />RE: Pipeline Setback Policy <br />MAYOR <br />Michael I. Fahey <br />COUNCIL <br />Beverly Scalze <br />Jim LaValle <br />Matt Anderson <br />Rick Montour <br />ADMINISTRATOR <br />Joel R. Hanson <br />As discussed at the September 25, 2002 Council meeting, attached is staff's recommendation relative <br />to a 50 -Foot Pipeline Setback Policy (no buildings or structures within 50 feet of the edge of a <br />pipeline easement). You will note that the primary impact of this policy will be in connection with <br />the development of plats of more than three lots. For subdivisions of three lots or less, it is staff's <br />intention that the policy would be applied in a manner that would not prevent the subdivision if it is <br />consistent with existing development in the area and meets all City ordinances. Finally, the policy <br />would not be applied to existing developed lots of record for the re- establishment of structures <br />although all City Codes would have to be complied with. <br />One other item that was mentioned during our last discussion is the concern that the City, by <br />implementing this policy, is stating structures within 50 feet of this pipeline are unsafe. It is staff s <br />intention that we are simply providing a greater margin of safety to a "potentially" hazardous <br />condition for new developments. This is especially true given that it is construction activities that <br />appear to pose the greatest threat to the pipeline. Therefore, new construction creates that risk <br />whereas developed property does not. <br />It should also be noted that the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety has stated that 2/3" d's of deaths <br />occur within 150 feet of pipelines. They have also recommended a setback ordinance of 150 feet. As <br />a result, they have raised safety concerns for existing structures. The adoption of our policy should <br />not heighten this concern. <br />