HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-09-90 PZMThe Planning Commission is an advisory body to the City Council.
One of the Commission's functions is to hold public hearings and make
recommendations to the City Council. The City Council makes all final
decisions on these matters.
Lake Elmo Ordinances require that certain documents and
information be included in applications. The Planning Commission may
postpone consideration of an application that is incomplete and may for
other reasons postpone final action on an application.
For each item, the Commission will receive reports prepared by
the City Staff, open the hearing to the public, and discuss and act on the
application. if you are aware of information that hasn't been discussed,
please fill out a "Request to Appear Before the Planning Commission" slip;
or, if you came late, raise your hand to be recognized. Comments that are
pertinent are appreciated.
AGENDA
LAKE ELMO PLANNING COMMISSION
APRIL 9, 1990
7:30 p.m. MEETING CONVENES
1. AGENDA
2. MINUTES: March 26, 1990
7:40 p.m. 3. Trans -City Investment CUP Amendment
(Continued)
7:45 p.m. 4. Presentation by ReComp (Continued)
8:00 p.m. 5. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
A. Future Land Use Map
B. RE Ordinance
C. Freeway Business Ordinance
9:15 p.m. 6. Planning Commission Reports
9:30 p.m. 7. Adjourn
DATE APPROVED: 4/9/90
DATE ISSUED: 4/20/90
LAKE ELMO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
MARCH 26, 1990
Chairman DeLapp called the Planning Commission meeting to order at
7:30 p.m. in the City Council chambers. Present: DeLapp, John,
Johnston, Enes, Stevens, Johnson, Conlin, Arkeli, Wilfong, Thomas, and
Acting-Admin. Kueffner. Absent: Bucheck.
J. AGENDA
M/S/P Enes/Stevens - to approve the March 26, 1990 Planning Commission
agenda as presented. (Motion carried 9-0).
2. MINUTES: March 12, 1990
M/S/P Johnston/Arkell - to approve the March 12, 1990 Planning
Commission minutes as amended. (Motion carried 7-0-2 Abstain: Enes,
Conlin.)
3. PUBLIC HEARING:
Trans -City Investrnent's Request for an Amendment to C.U.P.
for Outside Storage at 11490 Hudson Blvd.
Jim McNamara, Building Official, reported in the PZ cover sheet that
Howard Gelb of Trans -City Investment has requested an amendment to
their Conditional Use Permit to allow outside storage in an existing
fenced -in area on the north side of the building which is
approximately 29,000 sq.ft. area and is naturally concealed by the
surrounding topography. The area would be used for the storage of
materials being used on the property by the various businesses plus
lawn tractors and other equipment used to maintain the property.
If the PZ looked favorably on this request, Mr. McNamara suggested the
CUP include outside storage within the fenced -in area not to exceed a
maximum height of 7 feet (one foot below the top of the fence) so
overflow does not occur. The storage should be in an orderly neat
manner so as not to become a health or work hazard to anyone on the
property or the surrounding area.
Chairman DeLapp opened up the public hearing at 7:40 p.m. in the City
Council chambers. Public Hearing notice was published on March 14,
1990 in the St. Croix Valley Press and all adjoining property owners
were notified.
Kurt Lange, Administrator for Trans -City Investments, stated he lives
on the premises and can oversee the complex. He explained all the
tenants in this complex have been reviewed by Jim McNamara. Items,
such as raw materials for bank vaults, would be stored on a concrete
slab. There would be no grain or food products stored outside because
of the potential for rats or rodents. There will be a rent charge to
the tenants who have outside storage. Lange will talk to the tenants
on the south side of the building about their outside storage.
LAKE ELMO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 26, 1990 PAGE 2
Ray Salus, 404 Lake Elmo Avenue, stated he had no objection to the
proposed outside storage because the storage would be concealed by a
fence and 10-15 feet of bank around it. Trans -City has done a good
job in cleaning up the site.
Several PZ members voiced their concern on what solvents Glass Etc.
and Etching Concepts were storing and how they were disposing of them.
M/S/P Johnson/Enes - to recommend to the City Council that Trans -City
Investment Conditional Use Permit at 11490 Hudson Blvd., be amended to
permit outside storage with the following conditions:
1. The area of storage not exceed 29,000 sq.f.t.
currently existing within a fenced area.
2. The height of storage within the fenced area
not exceed a height of 7 feet.
3. Items be stored in an orderly, neat manner so as
to insure the safety of workers in the area.
4. No hazardous chemicals, including, but not limited
to organic solvents, acids and alkali material be
permitted within the outside storage area.
5. No perishable goods be stored in this area.
6. No additional exterior lighting will be provided.
and based their recommendation on the following Findings of Fact:
1. After visiting the site, the PZ found outside storage
would not be detrimental to the surrounding areas,
2. That the items being stored would not be detrimental
to the environment,
3. Outside storage is consistent with the intent of
the Alternate Ag Use Ordinance,
4. During the public hearing, Ray Salus had only
favorable comments, and there were no objections from the
neighboring property owners.
(Motion carried 9-0).
The staff will report back with Jim McNamara's CUP review done in
January, 1990. Mr. Lang will contact Jim McNamara with the results of
the water test and a list of solvents which were reviewed by
Washington County Public Health. These chemicals will be reported to
our Fire Department.
LAKE ELMO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 26, 1990 PAGE 3
4. Bob Healy, Recomnp Inc.
Compost Site at I-94 and County Road 15
Mr. Bob Healy, ReComp, Inc. submitted a proposal for
manufacturing and yard waste composting operation in
Bob Mogren of. Mogren Brothers Landscaping located on
and I-94. Mr. Healy was not present at the meeting;
Commission addressed the documents before them.
an organic soil
conjunction with
County Road 15
therefore, the
Rita Conlin: I am strongly opposed. A compost site is very odorous
and not consistent with our stand on the landfill --"Why are we going
to receive compost, when we are unwilling to take a landfill". What
happens to the pesticides and runoff? This is not a form of waste
abatement because the law is already there. We have our own composting
site. The other counties should be responsible for, their own
composting. It is not Lake Elmo's responsibility. Will this bring in
revenue, taxes into the City?
Rob Enes: I am opposed, because I don't want other people's junk
here. Lake Elmo has their own compost site. The residents have done
their best to recycle and limit the amount of items that go into a
landfill. I am a strong believer for Hennepin County to take care of
their own little world and not push it off onto somebody else.
Ed Stevens: I am opposed to this proposal.
and harmless operation, as they make it out
why they cannot find an area by St. Paul or
up.
If this is such a
to be, there is no
Minneapolis to set
clean
reason
this
Wyn John: Based on the information we have, I would be opposed.
Jim Arkell: I am opposed. I work for a recycling industry and see too
many problems that have been glossed over and come up in the future.
There wouldn't be a need for this if we left the clippings on the
lawn.
Lonny Thomas: Based on the documents submitted by Mr. Healy and the
limited PZ discussion, I would be opposed.
Karen Johnston: I am opposed and would agree with Rita's and Rob's
reasons.
Debra Wllfong: I am opposed.
Steve DeLapp: I am in favor of the operation that Washington County
and the City of Lake Elmo have now. Unless I hear otherwise from the
City and County, I would like to leave it as it is.
Dick Johnson: We say, on one hand, we are in favor of recycling, we
don't want more landfills, but on the other hand, we say you are not
going to do any composting in my City because I don't want to be
dumped on. I live near the City's compost site and don't notice any
odor. If properly taken care of, and with the necessary controls, an
excellent product is produced. This could be something the City could
benefit from.
LAKE ELMO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 26, 1990 PAGE 4
The Commission asked the staff to indicate to Mr.Healy that, based on
the information presented, the proposal was not favorably viewed as a
whole. If Mr. Healy has additional information to bring before them,
they would be willing to consider it.
5. Discussion on Model Ordinance
The Commission received copies of. Washington County and Afton's Zoning
ordinances. After their review, the PZ made the following
recommendation:
M/S/P Johnson/Enes - to request authorization by the City Council to
direct the City Staff, with the City Planner and Attorney, put
together a revised set of ordinances based on the Washington County
and Afton Model Ordinance; including the new Freeway Business Zoning
and Residential Estates Zoning and all components of the existing Lake
Elmo Ordinance; excluding items that don't apply to Lake Elmo (such as
PUD's). (Motion carried 9-0).
The Planning Commission will place this item, working on the model
ordinance, as a priority item on their work plan.
6. Update on Comprehensive Plan/Future Land Use Map
Mary Kueffner updated the Commission of Council approval (3/20/90) on
the Future Land Use Map with the average lot density of 3 per 10 acres
for Rural Residential Density (RRD) as designated on this map. The
Council will discuss the Comp Plan/Future Land Use Map at their April
3rd meeting.
After reviewing the map, some members asked if the Council had looked
into RRD as a viable economic unit and what impact would RRD and
commercial development along I-94 have on the City.
Copies of the Residential Estates Ordinances willbe sent to the
Commission for discussion at their next meeting.
M/S/P Enes/John - to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting at 9:18
p.m. (Motion carried 9-0).