1971 Planning
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Planning Commission - I - December 7, 1971
Minutes
I. A regular meeting of the New Hope Planning Commission was held at the
ViI_lage Hall, 4401 Xylon Avenue North, in sald-Nillage on Tuesday.,
Oec.ember 7, 1971, at 7:00 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ostl-und.
2. Raft call was taken as follows:
Present: Barnlskls, Meyer, Ostlund, Oswa14, Sueker,
Cameron, Oster.
Absent: Ohman, Zlla, Rauch (Rauch arrived later).
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3. PI;,,"nln~ Case No. 71-67, request for variance In height I imitation for
Industrial str!Jctuf'llS at 4630 Quebec Avenue-north, Bensoo..or'ft1 ASSClCiates,
Inc., petitioner, was considered at this time.
Mr. Kenneth Benson, Benson..orth Associates, inc-., an<:! Mr. Ronald
Marveson, Reo Plastics, appeared before the Commlssi<>n to explain the
need for the variance. A vari ance is sought to the 35 foot height
Ilmitatlon requirement of the Vi lIage Code to allow for the construction
of two 60 foot bulk storage si los. The si los are to be used for
storage of pi astl c pellet materi al s and are to be constructed in con-
Junetlon with the Reo PlaSTics Industrial building located at 4630
Quebec Avenue North.
The Village Manager advised that the staff had reCommended that the
silos, if permitted, be located 10 feet off the rear lot line. this
location would allow proper access for fire fighting equipment. The
Village Manager further advised that the staff recommentled that a chain
link fence (8 ft. mifllmum) be constructed to discourage vandaHsm and
to reduce the possibility of an unauthorized person being injured.
The petitioner was asked why the silos had not been shown on the
original site plan for the Reo Plastics building. Mr. Ken Benson said
that originally this firm had intended to expand their Mapie Grove
plant and that when It was decided to locate in New Hope the engineer-
ing staff for Reo Plastics did not keep abreast of the Issue.
Commissioner Sueker stated that the question is whether there will be
a problem with the 60 foot high silos since the code limitation is 35
feet.
Messrs. Benson and Marveson sai d they had not been aware of the staff
change as to the location of the silos, but agreed that they could
see no problem with locating the silos in accordance with the staff
recommendation.
Mr. Marveson said the silos would be of welded steel and could be
either green, gray or yellow. The color had not been determined.
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Planning Commission - 2 - December 7, 1971
Mi nutes
Commissioner Rauch arrived.
Commissioner Oster asked what other private structures In the Village
exceed the height limitation. The Vi I I age Manager said there were
no other height variances as far as he knew.
Commi ss loner Sueker commented that he cou I d see no fire hazard In
cOflnectlon with the storage of the plastic materials since the material
wi II mel t before It w I II burn. He said that the height limitation was
for fire protection reasons, since we do not have equipment to handle
buildings of greater height. He also said that he could see no
aesthetic problem, this being little different than a chimney. He
thought there would not be much danger of the structures toppling.
Discussion was held as to the distance of the silos from the neighbor-
Ing residential property. It was noted that the silos would be
separated from res I dential property by the 100 ft. right of way
plus "extra long" back yards.
T~ possibility of recessing the silos was discussed. Mr. Benson said
that this would be difficult because of water table on the site.
Mr. Ken Benson said that Reo PlastIcs is already talking about expanding
the New Hope plant. Mr. Marvesoo said that when the plant Is expanded
two more silos of the same size would be needed. Mr Marveson also
said that, if the firm did not have the silos, storage space would
have to be taken from inside the building or they would have to
operate from Fa II road cars. He said it would not be practical to
operate from box cars, since the silos handle different type materials
and they would have to shut dOWfl to change box cars. It is proposed
that the plastic materIal will be unloaded from the box cars Into the
silos and then used from the silos. He also said It Is not economical-
ly feasible to provide Inside storage.
Discussion held as to whether It would be feasible to use a greater
number of smaller si los. Mr. Marveson said that when the plant Is in
operatiOfl one slio would hold a 2 1/2 day supply of plastic material.
Commissioner Oster noted that the Planning Commission must be concerned
with setting a precedent If this height variance Is permitted,
Further discussion was held as to the contemplated expansion of the
Reo Plastics operation.
Commissioner Rauch expressed concern with these "high" silos being so
close to resIdential zoned property - as opposed to being located in
an industrial park.
Discussion held regarding the elevation of the rai I road tracks In the
vicinity of the proposed silo site.
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Planning Commission - 3 - December 7, 1971
Minutes
Mr. Eugene Johnson, 4109 Oregon Avenue North, and member of the
Industrial Commission, said that he felt he could speak for the
neighborhood and that the neighbors would object to the silos. He al$()
thought the Industrial Commission would be Interested in looking at
the proposal.
Motion by Barniskls, second by Cameron, that since granting a variance
In height I imitations would set a precedent for Industrial develop-
ment, the matter be referred to the Industrial Commission for Its
COllIIIIents and critique, with report to the Planning Commission for the
meeting of December 21, 1971. Motion cerried by voice vote.
Chairman Ostlund said he thought the Planning Commission al$() should
discuss the proposed addition to the Reo Plastics plant.
It was decided that Mr. Marveson Should advise the Village Manager as
to where similar structures have been built so that the Planning
Commission might take a look at the structures.
Mr. Kenneth Ben$()n advised the Planning Commission that he had pur-
chased the Industrial property at 49th and Quebec (south of 49th
and west of tracks).
4. The Planning Commission reviewed the cedar siding standards as pre-
pared by Mr. WI II lam Tuma, Building and Zoning Director.
Discussion was held as to the effect of the adoption of the State
Bui Idlng Code on these standards and on existing Village Codes.
Motion by Oster, second by Cameron, accepting the grading rules for
red cedar as prepared by Mr. 1'11'1 lam Tuma and expressing agreement
with these standards. Motion carried by vol.ce vote.
S. Commissioner Oster said that the Codes afld Standards Committee had
nothing to report. He suggested that the Planning Commission go over
the changes suggested at the last Planning Commission meeting In
connection with the proposed sign ordlmmce. it was decided that this
could be done following the regular meeting.
6. Commissioner Barniskls said that the Land Use Committee had nothing
to report.
7. The Council minutes of the meeting of November 22, 1971~ were reviewed.
8. Commissioner Meyer stated that at the last meeting he had quoted from
Or. Robbins instead of Or. Peterman and that he had inadvertently
given the wrong name.
Commissioner Sueker stated that at the last meeting he was vehemently
against people being able to put whatever type signs they wished In
front store windows and that he would I ike this recorded.
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Planning Commission December 7, 1971
Minu'ies
Motion by 6arnlskls, second by Oster, to approve the minutes of the
Planning Commission meeting of November 16, 1971 together with above
comments. Motion carried by voice vote.
9. Additional comments and requests were heard from staff and C0m-
missioners.
Vi Ilage ManagRr distributed information on planning courses offered
at North Hennepin Junior Collage. He asked that the Commissioners
express Interest in attending at the next ~tlng.
Discussion hel d regarding fen.clng at the Green Giant Garden Center,
Inspection of filling stations, and the operation at the New Hope
Shopping Center Garden Store.
Commissioner Oster advised that the Codes and Standards CoImIittee
wi II be ready wIth a report on speCial use permits for home occupetlons
for the first meeting In January.
Motion by Cameron, second by Reuch, and carried, to adjourn the
meeting at 8:45 p.m.
(Following adjournment the propos'9d sign ordinance and changes sug-
gested at the last meeting were revieWed. All Commission lIlIillIlbers
were Invited to offer the I r comments).
Respectfully submitted,
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Betty ot
Recording Secretary
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