Laserfiche WebLink
City Council Minutes Page 4 <br />December 21, 2020 <br />----------------------------- <br />Gordon Bynum, 420 Rush Avenue, indicated he agrees with the comments made by <br />Ms. Clark-Johnson in the letter she submitted. He stated he would like to keep the <br />zoning as restrictive as possible as he would not want to see industrial or multiple <br />units in the building if Elk River Municipal Utilities moves in the future. He <br />explained if Elk River Municipal Utilities takes care of the setback, traffic, and <br />screening as outlined he’s comfortable with this request. <br /> <br />Chris Kerzman, Elk River Municipal Utilities Engineering Manager, explained the <br />landscaping challenges with building. He stated they do not anticipate an increase in <br />traffic as it will be the same number of employees. He added there may be a slight <br />increase in deliveries at first because the new building will have more storage space. <br /> <br />Mayor Dietz assured Mr. Bynum Elk River Municipal Utilities is not going anywhere <br />anytime soon. He explained they have been in their current building since the 1920s <br />or 1930s. <br /> <br />There being no one else to speak to this issue, Mayor Dietz closed the public <br />hearing. <br /> <br />Councilmember Westgaard indicated there is nothing this Council can do to prevent <br />future Councils from changing the zoning or use of the area, but he does not see it <br />becoming an issue anytime in the near future as Elk River Municipal Utilities has <br />been around for a long time and he believes will continue to be around for a long <br />time. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wagner stated the landscape plan seems like it provides good <br />coverage. She agrees the building has an industrial look, but she believes it blends in <br />well with the background. <br /> <br />Councilmember Christianson understands the concerns with the building being in <br />the middle of a neighborhood but feels comfortable because of the condition <br />requiring staff approval of all site, engineering, landscape, and utility plans. <br /> <br />Mr. Bynum questioned if an 8-12-foot fence would be preferred over the <br />landscaping. Mayor Dietz indicated he believes landscaping would be preferred over <br />a fence. Mr. Bynum agreed but wanted to throw the option out. <br /> <br />Moved by Councilmember Westgard and seconded by Councilmember <br />Wagner to approve the Conditional Use Permit request by Elk River <br />Municipal Utilities for expansion of an existing government facility to satisfy <br />the standards set forth in Section 30-654, subject to the following conditions: <br />1. The hours of operation shall be limited to 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday <br />through Friday, except for emergencies. <br />2. Dumpsters, recycling, and/or scrap metal shall be screened from view <br />with materials that match the building. <br />3. Staff approval of all site, engineering, landscape, and utility plans. <br /> <br /> <br />