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Mounds View City Council Apri110, 2006 <br />Regular Meeting Page 5 <br />Matt Fulton, City Manager of New Brighton, presented a letter signed by all the members of the <br />New Brighton City Council that recommends denying a conditional use permit to Star <br />Envirorunental. He stated the City of New Brighton understands the applicant's intent and the <br />benefit that their system can provide to the metropolitan waste system, in terms of capacity and <br />flow issues. He stated as a result of their operation, it will save money for utility customers <br />throughout the metropolitan area. He stated they are trying to preserve private business. He <br />stated the City of New Brighton understands the merits of the company and what the <br />Metropolitan Council are trying to accomplish. <br />Mr. Fulton stated there are several concerns with the proposal. He stated there are concerns <br />about potential odors that may occur at the site during normal operations and from an accidental <br />spill at the site. He stated any odors coming out of the site would impact the immediate area, <br />including Long Lake Regional Park, the new senior cooperative building and all surrounding <br />residents. He stated this is a significant issue for the City of New Brighton. <br />Mr. Fulton explained there are concerns about the traffic impact on Highway 96 and Old <br />Highway 8. He stated that even though it is an increase of 1 percent, there are times when the <br />intersection is very congested. He explained that any kind of additional traffic, especially hauling <br />trucks, does have the opportunity of potential for causing a much greater impact on the <br />transportation corridor. He stated the City of New Brighton is particularly concerned because of <br />the new construction at the intersection of Highway 96, and particularly the independent haulers <br />that are not employed by Star Environmental. He stated there are concerns with how well the <br />trucks will be mamtamed and possible leakage or spillage. <br />Mr. Fulton stated that New Brighton is currently undertaking a very large residential project of an <br />investment of $70 million in the development of over 700 homes, 500,000 square feet of office <br />space, and 40,000 square feet of retail space. He explained it is all in a mixed urban village <br />interspersed with passive recreation areas. He stated anything that could get in the way of <br />successfully marketing this large project is a big concern given the significant financial <br />investment in the project. He stated it may be a clean industry, but there is a significant concern <br />with truck traffic on transportation corridors and the image aspect of this type of business. <br />Mr. Fulton stated the long term future of the Highway 10 corridor must be considered. He stated <br />most of the design scenarios show Highway 10 connecting in to Old Highway 8 corridor and <br />terminating at Highway 96. He stated this would mean that this parcel would be adjacent to a <br />significant corridor. He wondered if this is the appropriate long range zoning classification for <br />the properly, or if it might be better zoned for a commercial use of the property. <br />Mayor Marty stated the long range plan by MnDOT is to close off Highway 10 where one would <br />normally exit through Mounds View onto Interstate 35W and Highway 96, and also to close off <br />County Road H and take it down to Highway 96 and make a different interchange. <br />Councilmember Thomas asked what the current traffic projections are for the fully developed <br />northwest quadrant. She stated the proposal by Star Environmental will have a 1 percent <br />increase, while the large development by New Brighton will result in a significant increase in <br />