1995-01-24 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I Council Meeting Minutes January 24, 1995 Page 5 Council Business. continued Lisa Winson, 657--6th Ave., said the additional 6 cars per hour appears to be too many when you live across from the store, also the townhome project will create additional traffic. She believes Old Hwy 8 does not need another gas station. Tarr noted that by 1998, all Minnesota gas stations need to update their equipment to State requirements and the proposal includes that up-to-date equipment. Scott Kroll, 650--6th Ave., noted that many cars speed along this road and the gas pumps will only increase that traffic, and the plan does not allow for adequate maneuvering. He noted the litter in his yard and said the store lights have been on 24 hours a day for the past few weeks. A better location for the store would be at 10th St. and 5th Ave. Tarr said the store has not been servicing customers after hours, but cleaning and remodeling crews have been working after hours. Nick Larson, 642--5th Ave., feels another gas station is not needed, and the denial of the previous proposal did not doom the store's survival. He feels customers will park in undesignated areas, and the City should install a "No Left Turn" sign at 5th Ave. Tan suggested a patrol car could use their parking lot to monitor speed. Frank Efrkz, 639--6th Ave., agrees that the runoff, trash, parking, and traffic problems occur continually. He presented slides of other Tom Thumb and convenience stores and compared gas island canopy lighting. He feels that Tom Thumb's proposal compares closely to a Super America in terms of gas island and canopy size than the smaller PDQ Stores. The canopy's lighting will shine more brightly upon the downhill residential properties due to the store's elevated grade level. He does not feel the pumps are needed for Tom Thumb's survival, but it would merely allow the company to prosper. Tarr said the canopy's lighting will be underneath, and not backlite. The lighting system is different than E-Z Stop, and would shine directly down and not hit the curb. Eicher feels Tom Thumb is not drawing a comparison to PDQ or Super America because Tom Thumb is a convenience store which uses gasoline as an accessory use. Resident, 768--6th Ave., noted the non-resident traffic on 6th Ave. and feels the pumps will increase this traffic. She noted concern of gas spillage onto her property. Eicher said the pumps are regulated by the EPA, MPCA, State and Local Fire Marshal, and State and Local Building Officials and are inspected regularly. Tom Thumb received an award from the MPCA for being 100% in compliance with governmental regulations. An above ground gas spill would be limited because an electronic pump can be programmed to automatically shutoff. Larson asked Proper how many gallons of gasoline was spilled at E-Z Stop last year. Proper said 30,000 gallons was spilled before detection of an inground spill. Todd Winson, 657--6th Ave., said the store lights shine in his windows constantly and does not want gas fumes entering his home. Tarr acknowledged that the cars need to shutoff their engines before fueling. Mattila confirmed that 6th Ave. will be vacated near the area of the townhome project aod any townhome traffic would travel 5th Ave. Audience members noted their coocern of traffic increasing on 6th Ave. Council Business Tom Thumb Gas Pump and Canopy Site Plan Report 95-012A