HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990.07.02 PC Minutes~a
The special meetinq was called to order by Chairman Senkler at 8:05 PM
PRESENT: Bill Mezzano, Bob Oswald, and Dick Senkler
City Administrator, Ken Huber
Acting Secretary, Mary Ann Creager
ABSENT: Barnes, Thoreson, Henry
Chairman Senkler reviewed the site plan request with the Planning
Commission, noting the referral of the Lake Country Wood Preserving site
plan application to the Planning Commission by the City Council. On
behalf of Lake Country Wood Preserving, Mr. Ken Briggs addressed the
Commission and reviewed the intent of the request before the Commission.
He noted that the property in question was zoned industrial, and that
lumber yards, as well as processing/treatment facilities, are permitted
uses in an industrial zone. Mr. Briggs then proceeded to respond to
questions raised earlier regarding the CCA fixation plant and related
issues.
Mr. Briggs stated that no odors, vibration, glare, smoke or dust will
created by this operation. He stated that there is some noise from (--
loading
loading equipment when the back-up bells are workinq. He stated that
any dust control
is needed on site, it will be handled by the use of
calcium chloride.
He stated that the impact of this operation on the
neighbors would
be insignificant in that the closest residence is more
than 800' from
this site. He also pointed out that the facility being
proposed would
not even be visible to the neighborhood south and west of
the Bald Eagle
Industrial Park. He pointed out that all storage tanks
would be above
ground where they can be visible and easily monitored. In
response to earlier
inquiries regarding fire protection, he stated that
the developer has
agreed to install a 30,000 gallon water tank for
fire -protection
purposes with the capability of pumping water into the
tank at the rate
of 50 gallons per minute. He provide a letter from the
railroad verifying
that there are no plans by the Burlington Northern to
abandon the railroad
trackage parellel to Highway 61. He informed the
audience that the
reason the developers have chosen Hugo is because the
site selected was
properly zoned, was big enough to handle the facility,
and had access
to railroad facilities. He informed the audience that
their concerns
regarding water run off from this site into Bald Eagle Lake
were unfounded
in that all drainage of this site would go into Judicial
Ditch #3 which
runs to the north and west. He stated that the entire
drainage system
on site will be constructed to comply with RCWD's
directives. He
then stated that the site in question will be screened by
installation of
an 8' wooden fence, and earlier communications with MNDOT
indicated that
the increased traffic created by this facility will be
insignificant in
terms of its impact on Highway 61 and 130th Street.
Mr. Jerry Lathan then made a brief presentation explaining how the
fixation
plant operates, and all of the
protection
and monitoring methods
that
will be
incorporated into the plant
to make it
one of the safest
facilities
in
the nation. Following the
presentation,
Chairman Dick
Senkler
opened
the hearing for comments
from the audience.
Questions and
comments
by
the audience included, but were
not limited
to, the following:
1.
The City
should check out the track
record and
past experiences of the
company
proposing this facility.
2.
The City
should check the financial
stability
of this company as it
relates
to their ability to correct
and clean
up a hazardous chemical
spill.
°
3.
Who
will be responsible for
monitoring activities on this site once
the
facility is built?
4.
Will
drawing 40,000 gallons
of water per day from the aquifer below
the
site have a major impact
on the wells in adjacent neighborhoods?
5.
What
is the likelihood of this
facility contaminating the aquifer
serving the wells in adjacent
neighborhoods?
6.
Will
the chemicals proposed
to be used in this process accumulate in
your
body if consumed as a
result of wells being contaminated?
7.
How
many shifts will this company
be operating on week days and on
week
ends?
8.
How
many trucks per day are
anticipated to serve this site and what
route will these trucks be
taking?
9.
Will
train traffic to this
area be increased as a result of approving
this
type of facility?
10.
Is the fire protection for
this site adequate?
11.
Will
the City have to build
a new water tower to serve this facility?
Chairman Senkler then closed the hearing and brought this matter back to
the Planning Commission for their review and comment. Commissioner
Mezzano stated that he was somewhat concerned regarding the ownership of
this property, and the ability of the applicants to provide the assurances
and security to meet their commitment relating to this proposal. He also
felt that the City should look into hiring a consultant to give us an
unbiased assessment of the concerns regarding safety and possibility of
contaminating the City's water supply. Commissioner Oswald indicated his
concern regarding the impact of using 40,000 gallons of water a day on the
City's aquifer, and the life expectancy of the protective liner to be
installed underneath the treatment plant. Chairman Senkler then informed
the audience that it is the job of the Planning Commission to look at this
proposal from a land -use standpoint, and that their action, for or against
this proposal, will be in the form of a recommendation to the City
Council. He indicated that he is uncomfortable with voting on this issue
this evening because there are a lot of questions left unanswered, and
permits and approvals still not yet received from other governmental
agencies. He also concurred with Mr. Mezzano's feelings that the City
should secure independent review and recommendations regarding the
hazardous chemicals and processing issues. After a brief discussion, the
following motion was made:
Mezzano made motion, Senkler seconded, to table this matter until the July
25, 1990 regular Planning Commission meeting or until the following
information is provided:
1. The City receives an independent consultant's review of the issues
relating to hazardous materials and safety measures being taken with
this type CCA fixation plant.
2. The applicants secure the required permits and/or approvals by other
governmental agencies that will be involved in reviewing this
application.
All aye. Motion Carried.
Senkler made motion, Mezzano seconded, to adjourn at 10:16 PM.
All aye. Motion Carried.
Mary Ann Creager, Acting Secretary