07-25-1989 PC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . . Page 7 Planning Commission Minutes 7/25/89 COMMISSIONER FUCHS MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL APPORVAL OF THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT BY ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES TO CONSTRUCT A STORAGE SHED FOR STORING TRANSFORMERS FOR TESTING OF PCB'S WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: 1. THAT THE DIKED STORAGE AREA FOR THE TRANSFORMERS HAS ENOUGH CAPACITY TO MEET THE FEDERAL REGULATIONS. FURTHER. ALL OTHER DESIGN CRITERIA FOR THAT DIKED AREA MUST BE MET. 2. THAT THE UTILITIES GET APPROVAL OF A VARIANCE FOR METAL SKINNED CONSTRUCTION OR CHANGE THEIR DESIGN. 3. THAT SOIL BORINGS ARE REQUIRED TO ASSURE THAT THE DIKED AREA WILL NOT SETTLE AND CRACK. 4. THAT THE TRANSFORMER STORAGE AREA BE SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE BUILDING BY SHEETROCK FIREWALLS 5. THAT THE UTILITIES "SPILL AND PREVENTION CONTROL AND COUNTERMEASURE PLAN" BE APPROVED BY JOHN LICHNER OF LIESCH AND ASSOCIATES AND COpy SENT TO RUSS ANDERSON. FIRE CHIEF. 6. THAT THE TRANSFORMER STORAGE AREA BE INSPECTED ANNUALLY BY THE BUILDING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT. 7. THAT THE FIRE CHIEF AND EMERGENCY PREPARDNESS OFFICER REVIEW CONDITIONS AND PRESENT EMERGENCY PLANS. COMMISSIONER EBERLEY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-1. This recommendation was based upon the findings of fact that Governmental Facilities have been identified in our ordinance as being consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Since we amended our ordinance they are allowed in residential areas and that development of this proposal is properly done as it will not affect adjacent property owners. Commissioner Johnson was opposed to this request as she felt this was an expansion of an industrial use in a residential area. The next topic discussed was the variance request. Steve Rohlf explained that Tim Keane's interpretation is that this is not a use variance. it is a variance on a standard. The Planning Commission must weigh out the metal skin exterior question by the five standards for a variance. Steve further explained that if the Utilities wish to pursue the metal skin exterior. they must apply for a variance. In order to not delay Mr. Birrenkott's request. I am asking for a recommendation from the Planning Commission. This will be advertised as a variance prior to the City Council meeting. The public will also be notified prior to the City Council meeting. COMMISSIONER FUCHS MOVED TO GRANT THE VARIANCE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A METAL KIN BUILDING BASED UPON THE FOLLOWING FINDINGS OF FACT: