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<br />Planning Commission Minutes <br />September 26, 2000 <br /> <br />Page 4 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Commissioner Baker stated he would like to ensure that the Planning Commission <br />would have an opportunity to review any revised plans. <br /> <br />Commissioner Kuester asked how other cities are dealing with adding amenities <br />to the station. Mr. Loch stated that a provision is included in the conditions of <br />approval. The Commissioners discussed language for such a condition. <br /> <br />Commissioner Schuster stated that he hopes the citizens of Elk River realize that <br />what they are approving is the design and location of the station and that this is <br />their opportunity for input. <br /> <br />COMMISSIONER KUESTER MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE NORTHSTAR <br />CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY'S (NCDA) ADVANCED CORRIDOR PLAN WITH <br />THE FOLLOWING CONDITION: <br /> <br />1. THE CITY OF ELK RIVER HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE NCDA AND <br />MN/DOT ON ENHANCING THE DEPOT SITE. <br /> <br />COMMISSIONER PEDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. <br /> <br />Scott Harlicker asked Mr. Loch if the Planning Commission's comments on the <br />landscaping were required at this time. Mr. Loch stated that they are not ready <br />to receive those comments at this time. <br /> <br />5.2. <br /> <br />Reauest by Metro Wind LLC for a Conditional Use Permit to Construct & Ooerate <br />Commercial Wind Turbine and Related Facilities, Public Hearina - Case No. CU <br />00-35 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Staff report by Steve Rohlf. Metro Wind, a Minnesota based company, is <br />proposing to construct a wind turbine with a maximum capacity of 660 kW. Mr. <br />Rohlf explained that wind turbines are a conditional use in the A-1 / Agricultural <br />zone. The turbine is expected to provide power for 75-100 homes. <br /> <br />Mr. Jaunich, representing Metro Wind, stated that Elk River was chosen as the site <br />for a wind turbine because of its reputation for providing renewal energy sources, <br />and Elk River is also is community with growing energy demands. Mr. Jaunich <br />explained that the turbine is the harvesting mechanism to provide electricity and <br />is about the size of a mid-size sedan. The tubular tower will be 175 feet tall, with <br />the maximum height at 237 feet when one of the three blades is pointing <br />upward. Mr. Jaunich stated that no noticeable noise will be heard from the <br />generator unless a person was within 300 feet of the turbine. <br /> <br />Commissioner Baker asked type of noise would be heard. Mr. Jaunich stated that <br />the only audible sound would be a "whirring" type of sound coming from the <br />blades. Commissioner Baker asked if birds would be a problem. Mr. Jaunich <br />stated that birds tend to fly over and around the wind turbine. He noted that <br />their have been no reports of birds killed on any of Metro Wind's sites. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Steve Rohlf explained that another reason Elk River was chosen as a site is to <br />demonstrate that wind power can make economic sense even in Elk River, which <br />is at the low end of the commercial wind resource. Mr. Rohlf reviewed the <br />location of the turbine site, noting that there are only 4 homes in the areas. He <br />