08-23-2005 PC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning Commission Minutes Page 5 August 23, 2005 --------------------------- 5.6. Request by Target Corporation for Conditional Use Permit, Public Hearing – Case No. CU 05-16 Ms. McPherson reviewed the request by Target Corporation for a conditional use permit to allow outdoor above-ground storage tanks and loading docks that face the front yard for the Target Technology Center to be located in Elk Path Business Center Third Addition. Ryan Companies is proposing to construct a 159,400 square foot technology center. Ms. McPherson explained that the building would be used to house large banks of computer servers and mainframes which process all transactions from Target Stores nationally and internationally. The conditional use permit is required for the exterior storage tank and six cooling towers which will be located on the south side of the building facing County Road 30. Also, the loading docks will face Waco Street to the west, which is considered a “front yard”. Ms. McPherson reviewed the site layout, driveway, parking, concrete screening wall, security issues, number of employees, landscaping and berming, building materials and design. Staff recommends approval of the request with the six conditions listed in the staff report. Commissioner Offerman questions why there was no fence proposed, if security was a concern and if the proposed wall was continuous. Ms. McPherson stated no, and that the wall was deisgned to prevent a truck from running into the building. She explained that fencing is not part of their security plan, as they don’t want to draw attention to the building. Commissioner Westgaard asked how tall the tank and chillers will be. Ms. McPherson stated that tank is proposed to be 45 feet tall and the chillers will be 31 feet tall. She noted that the screening wall will be 10 feet tall. Chair Anderson opened the public hearing. Lee Koppy of Ryan Companies - Introduced himself and Randy Manthey, also of Ryan Companies. Mr. Koppy stated that they had investigated a number of sites and settled on the Elk River site due to the infrastructure, and rural Business Park setting. He stated that the location provided the opportunity for the building to be “hidden in plain site” and allowed for a 250 foot buffer. He noted that there will be no signs identifying its use. Mr. Koppy explained that the building will be secure and able to withstand a natural disaster. The drainage is designed to withstand back-to-back 100 year storms. He commended the City and Sherburne County in getting them through the process in such a short time. He stated that Target has a very aggressive schedule for this project, since it is vital to the growth of the company. Mr. Koppy noted that there may be the potential for slight changes to the site plan as the process evolves, but that the overall feel should remain the same. Kevin Story, 14148 Mississippi Road – Stated the he lives directly across from the proposed site and had concerns that the operation not intrude on the residents’ quality of life. He stated he approved of the overall site plan and the amenities which are being proposed. He questioned why the storage tank and cooling towers cannot be stored internal to the site and asked what would be stored in the tanks. He also asked if there would be any emissions. He stated that he had concerns with the dock doors facing the residences. Mr. Story stated that he did not have a problem with Target coming in, but would like his concerns addressed.