2016.03.15 Planning Commission Minutes

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It should be noted, the information contained within this report only addresses to the land use components of this project. While there may be references to certain water treatment technology or processes, that information should not be construed as being a complete representation of the actual remedies being sought to treat New Brighton's drinking water, as this is a highly technical matter. All drinking water matters are submitted to the City Council for review and approval. However, staff will ensure appropriate expertise is available at the meeting to address questions or concerns from Commissioners or the public. Staff recommends approval of the Site Plan and Special Use Permit, subject to the following conditions: 1. Final plans are submitted to the City Council for approval. 2. The Landscape Plan shall be reviewed by the Planning Director and City Forester to ensure compliance with the landscaping standards of Zoning Code Section 8-010(2). City Manager Lotter thanked the Planning Commission for considering this application. He explained the City has been involved in this project for quite some time and was working diligently to better its water supply. He discussed the history of TCAAP and the munitions that were made on this site. He explained that solvents were not always disposed of properly on the TCAAP site, which led to the contamination the City's aquifer with TCE. He explained the City took the federal government to court and won. A new contaminant, 1,4 -dioxane, was found in the City's water supply last April. After this determination was made, the City stopped using its aquifer and switched its water supply to the Mount Sinai Hinkley aquifer. Since that time, the City has been working to find a treatment plan to address the levels of 1,4 -dioxane within the City's water supply. He reported Barr Engineering has been working closely with the City on pilot testing. He explained the proposed expansion to the water treatment plant would house the 1,4 -dioxane water treatment system. Ideally, the new system would be up and running in the summer of 2018. Commissioner McPherson asked what the permissible levels of 1,4 -dioxane were and questioned what the City's water levels were. City Manager Lotter explained the City's permissible limit was one part per billion. He indicated the City's water currently ranged from two to six parts per billion. Commissioner McPherson expressed concern with the lack of detail within the City's plan and questioned why the City had such a sense of urgency given the fact the plant would not be operational until the summer of 2018. City Manager Lotter reported there was a great deal of lead time involved in this project. Greg Kiel, Barr Engineering, explained there were a lot of stakeholders involved in this project. He reported the distribution control center 90% designed. He discussed how it took time to get all of the parties together to come to an agreement on the treatment solution. He reported the City was working with the City of Minneapolis to meet this summer's water demands. Commissioner McPherson asked what type of methodology the City was using to remove the 1,4 -dioxane. Mr. Kiel discussed the chemical technologies being used to treat the 1,4 -dioxane. He reported UV and hydrogen peroxide was being used to break down the 1,4 -dioxane in one pilot testing program. The other pilot test was using ozone and hydrogen peroxide. He reported each had advantages and disadvantages and staff was reviewing the specifics from each pilot test to ensure the City's water would be properly treated. He stated until a final determination was made on the proper treatment methodology, a footprint for the plant would remain unknown. He discussed how the City would be able to switch between water sources with a single valve. Commissioner McPherson asked how long the City would be using water from the City of Minneapolis. Mr. Kiel explained the plan was to use Minneapolis water from July 2016 until the new water treatment supply was complete. City Manager Lotter discussed the relationships he has forged with the agencies involved in creating a solution to the City's water supply.