1996-10-22 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I I I Council Meeting Minutes October 22, 1996 Page 7 Council Business. continued Benke requested dust control and noise be addressed. Kramer said a water mixture will be used to eliminate dust. Benke encouraged use of a biodegradable product. Whitaker said the noise generated would be similar to pouring of cement for a house basement. Kramer said the contractors expressed the need for a 27 month construction schedule. This would allow time for the soil to settle in the winter and provide proper concrete pouring conditions in the spring. Benke asked if shortened construction hours would lengthen the construction's duration. Whitaker said the contractors expressed interest in constructing concrete forms on weekends and pouring concrete on Mondays. However, truck hauling will be limited to Monday through Friday. Benke feels if they allowed the contractor to work nights and weekends, the project would be completed much sooner. Kramer agrees that performing quiet work in evening hours and weekends will expedient the project. Kramer speculates that imposing limitations on construction hours may actually increase project cost and time line. Benke requested open communication with residents throughout the construction process. Kramer advocates open communication. Benke also feels Columbia Heights needs to be kept informed as it relates to coordination of the school bus routes. Williams asked that the New Brighton Public Works Department receive copies of the construction schedule. Kramer said staff and contractors will regularly meet Mondays to discuss the project's progress. New Brighton staff is welcomed to attend. Williams believes that residents should be given a phone number to contact Mpls if there are any concerns during construction. Fulton said maintaining open communication with residents during the construction is important. Mattila recalculated the site to reflect the reduction to 37 acres, and found the project to be over the maximum allowed floor area ratio (FAR) by 4%. He explained that a R-l district allows for a maximum FAR of 30%. In this case, the site area is 1,611 ,720 sq. ft.; and 554,850 sq. ft. of building area which represents a 34% FAR. Kramer said they will perform recalculations, and downsize the project accordingly to fit the site. Larson asked if they would modify the slopes to adhere to site constraints. Kramer said they will review other possibilities relating to the slope differential, and a more detailed plan will be developed. Because the elevation cannot be changed, the sides will be pulled in to alleviate the slope situation. Benke suggested continued consideration of a revised plan to reflect 37 acres and present to Council on November 12; communicate hauling routes to Columbia Heights; provide dust and noise control assurance; and revise hours of operation. Gunderman read the proposed resolution: "the underground finished water reservoir will not be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity for the purposes already permitted, nor substantially diminish and impair property values with the neighborhood." He feels the statement should not be included in the resolution. Mattila said paragraphs 3 through 6 include standard special use permit language described in the zoning ordinance. LeFevere said these paragraphs address findings not conditions, and Council is required to make these in order to grant a permit. Once these findings are made, there is possibility that property values could fluctuate but that is not a condition of approval. Benke feels much of the project's visual impact appears on the Columbia Heights side. Gunderman asked if language should be added to reflect truck routes. Staff will contact Columbia Heights regarding the truck route issue. Council Business Mpls Water Reservoir Project Report 96-238