2020.06.16 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 V. Report from City Council Liaison Councilmember Jacobsen provided the Commission with an update from the City Council. He welcomed the new Planning Commission members and thanked them for their service to the community. He discussed how COVID-19 was impacting New Brighton and stated he was pleased the State was beginning to reopen. He noted the Community Center reopened for members on June 15th. He discussed on the other City services that were reopening, such as the license bureau. He anticipated that the City Council and its Commissions would continue to meet virtually for the coming weeks and months. He commented on the stress the community has felt after the events that occurred surrounding the tragic death of George Floyd. He commented the Council was addressing the 2021 budget. He reported the City Council was seeking election judges and was putting plans in place for the upcoming primary and general elections. He noted the City may only have four or five precincts for 2020. He explained the City was in dire need of election judges and those interested in serving were encouraged to contact the City Clerk at City Hall. Further discussion ensued regarding mail in, curbside and absentee voting. VI. Public Hearing 1) Special Use Permit: Request from A Tree Service and Big Blue Box to authorize outdoor storage of landscaping materials, vehicles, and shipping containers at 761 1st Street SW. Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development Gozola reported W.A. Kirkpatrick (a.k.a. Big Blue Box) is looking to sell their property at 761 1st Avenue SW to A Tree Service Inc. As part of the transaction, both companies have agreed to split use of the property moving forward for outdoor storage purposes. It was noted A Tree Service would utilize the eastern portion of the site (including the building) for office use and for storage of wood m aterials and vehicles from their job sites. All wood materials would be chipped and cut off-site. In addition, Big Blue Box would retain a lease over the western portion of the site, and would utilize their portion of the land for container storage similar to the other existing Big Blue Box sites also on 1st Avenue SW. Staff provided further comment on the request and recommended approval of the Special Use Permit, based on the findings of fact and subject to the following conditions: 1. Containers, if/when stacked in the authorized area for such use, shall not be stacked more than two-high (≈ 17’). 2. To address aesthetics from the west, the property owner shall plant up to four (4) white pine trees along the western border of the property outside of the ROW as directed by the City Forester. The trees shall be planted a minimum of 15 feet apart and be staggered. 3. Chain link fencing for A Tree Service should be black vinyl covered fencing (with slats) similar to the fencing recently erected at the former MICOM site along Old Hwy 8. 4. A minimum of 15 feet shall be maintained between the planted white pine trees and any container storage. Boulders, fencing, or some other barrier agreed upon with DCAD shall be placed at this minimum setback to ensure container storage does not encroach into this protective area.