CCP 06-28-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Approved PLANNING COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS Regular Meeting—May 17, 2011 7:00 p.m. Present: Chairperson Bruce Howard, Commissioners, James Alvey, Steve Danger, Verne McPherson, and Erin Nichols-Matkaiti Absent: Commissioner Shardlow Also Present: Janice Gundlach-City Planner, Councilmember Gina Bauman and Katie Bruno-Office Assistant. Agenda Review: The agenda was presented and approved. Minutes: Minutes from April 19, 2011 were presented and approved, noting a spelling correction. Council Action: Councilmember Bauman reported the Council has been working on the budget, and is hopeful for a 0% levy for 2012. Public Hearing: (A) Continuation: Donald Wyland and Carol Noren request a Special Use Permit to allow operation of a pet cremation business out of an existing industrial building located at 15 2nd AVE SE. City Planner Gundlach reported that the applicants have requested a Site Plan & Special Use Permit for the proposed pet cremation business at 15 2nd AVE SE. The Site Plan application related to a desire to add onto the existing building &the Special Use Permit would allow a pet cremation use in the I-1, Light Industrial District. The Commission opened the public hearing on April 19th and numerous residents voiced opposition to the request. The Commission voted to table the application to allow the applicant & staff more time to work through site planning issues associated with the proposed addition. The following is a summary of a few of the major issues. Site Planning Concerns; The applicants have withdrawn their request to build an addition and therefore don't need approval of a Site Plan. The applicants feel their needs will be met within the confines of the existing 25' x 39' building. The proposal still includes removal of the two overhead doors facing north, which will be replaced by a window and service door. Locations of Similar Businesses; Staff located 5 examples of crematories in Minnesota, located in residential areas. Staff inquired with these cities to determine if there ever has been any complaints concerning these businesses. All four communities responded and indicated no complaints have been filed & they are not specifically aware of any odor issues. All 5 of these examples were human crematories, which use larger retorts that conceivably have higher emissions. MPCA Permits & Standards: Staff has spoken with the MPCA, who confirmed this business will not require a permit from the MPCA. The business will have to meet standards related to Class IV waste combustors. City staff brought in an environmental engineer, Charlie Gantzer with Barr Engineering, to review these criteria and help the City confirm the business will qualify for the Class IV permit exemption through the MPCA. Based on all the information provided by the applicant, the proposed retort will meet the Class IV exemption criteria. 1