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to their swine research, and replacing the buildings with several new, fully <br />enclosed buildings. In conjunction, Cargill is also proposing to produce <br />approximately 600 additional "feeder pigs" (pigs under 501b.) per year (about <br />200 one time capacity). However, the overall number of pigs on site will <br />decrease due to a substantial decrease in the number of finishing pigs (pigs <br />501bs. - 2501bs.) Feedlots are considered a conditional use permit in the <br />R1A zoning district. Cargill has not obtained a conditional use permit for <br />their existing feedlot, because they were not aware it was required and have <br />never been approached by the City as to this requirement previous to now. <br />The conditional use permit would bring their existing facility into <br />conformance with city code. <br />The Cargill Animal Nutrition Center was established in Elk River in 1958. <br />Cargill currently owns approximately 980 acres of land around the farm <br />complex. The animal nutrition center is used by Cargill to provide research <br />capabilities for animal nutrition including swine research, dairy research, <br />beef research, and also feed ingredient preservation research. The Cargill <br />Animal Nutrition Center currently employs approximately thirty-five people <br />to conduct research, care for animals, maintain facilities and harvest crops. <br />The details of this request are in the attached Apri125, 1995 memo to the <br />• Planning Commission. <br />Planning Commission Meeting <br />At the April 25, 1995 Planning Commission meeting, the Commission <br />concurred with staff's findings and recommended approval of the conditional <br />use permit for their existing feedlot operation. <br />Recommendation <br />Staff and the Planning Commission recommend approval of the conditional <br />use permit by Cargill to expand their existing swine research capabilities and <br />for their existing feedlot with the following conditions: <br />1. That the applicant meet all the requirements as set forth in the <br />feedlot permit from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. <br />2. That trees be planted along 165th Avenue near the security <br />fence to act as a visual enhancement to the farm site. <br />3. That the newly constructed buildings be painted to match the <br />existing buildings. <br />s:council:cu95-05 <br />