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. . . Planning Conunission Minutes April 22, 2003 Page 8 COMMISSIONER LEMKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-2. Commissioners Offerman and Jenson opposed. 5.7. Request by Rick Austin for a Conditional Use Permit for an Indoor Go-Kart Facility. Public Hearing - Case No. CU 03-09 Director of Planning Michele McPherson reviewed the request by Rick Austin for an indoor go-kart facility at 321 Baldwin (former Ron's Foods site). Ms. McPherson noted that a previous request to rezone the property to Highway Commercial was denied by the Gty Council in June 2002, but was later resubmitted by the Gty and approved in February 2003. She explained that at the public hearing, a petition was submitted by Robert and Carol Hall, owners of Pineview Apartments, 723 3rd Street, opposing the request. They expressed concerns related to increased traffic congestion, noise, unsupervised teens, debris, safety, drugs, violence, and decreased property values. Ms. McPherson reviewed the interior building layout, parking, hours of operation, curfew and noise. Ms. McPherson stated that staff recommends approval of the conditional use permit with the five conditions found in the staff report, with two additional conditions: 1) Exterior doors remain closed during hours of operation to provide additional soundproofing, and 2) Decibel levels do not exceed what is allowed by Gty Code. Chair Pederson opened the public hearing. Commissioner Franz asked if the roof fans could be a source of noise. Ms. McPherson explained that these types of fans are typically dampered, and would likely be similar to what was on the building for the former grocery- store operation. Commissioner Franz noted that the fans on the Coborn's facility are vented toward the residential area and are quite noisy. Commissioner Offerman asked what type of standards is used to determine acceptable decibel levels for the noise generated by the go-karts. Ms. McPherson explained that there are specific sections in the Gty Code to address acceptable levels of noise for various activities. Gty Attorney Peter Beck noted that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency also has noise standards. He explained that there are percentages of time for levels of noise in order to allowing some peaking. He suggested that the condition could be written so that the applicant would be required to conform to either the Gty standards or the State standards, whichever are most strict. Ms. McPherson noted that the Gty does have a meter to measure decibels, but past experience has shown it can be difficult to measure, especially given the close proximity of this property to Highway 169. Jeff Bruan, 626 Fulcom Avenue, Minneapolis, representing the applicant, stated that the air exchange system will be similar to the ice arena's system, and will meet all MPCA requirements. He noted that the applicant would meet all the other conditions as stated. Mr. Bruan stated that the applicant plans to light the parking lot. He stated that he anticipates most clientele will be adults, not teens, since go-kart racing is relatively expensive ($15 for 7 minutes of racing). Mr. Bruan stated the applicant plans to clean up the parking lot and remove the weeds that have grown up around the site. He stated that the go-kart noise level is similar to a lawn mower. He felt that the overall traffic would be significantly less than what the former grocery- store generated. Commissioner Franz asked how many go-karts could be running at one time. Mr. Bruan stated that a maximum of eight go-karts would nul at once. Ms. McPherson noted that no customer's go-karts would be brought in.