HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 12-20-1995a
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
PLANNING COM IISSION MINUTES
DECEMBER 20, 1995
MEMBERS PRESENT. Chairman Mike Stulberg, Commissioners Virginia Black, - Christian Preus, Allen Ribbe, and Barb Stimson
MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioners Linda Oja and Saundra Spigner
STAFFPRESENT: Director Anne Hurlburt, Planning Supervisor Barbara
Senness, Senior Planner John Keho, and Planner ShawnDrill
L Call to Order: 7:15 p.m.
2. Public Forum: None,
I Approval of Agenda: Approved Unanimously.
4. Approval orMinutes: None.
5, ConsentAgenda:
Chairman Stulberg asked if any of the Commission members wanted to pulp the consentagendaitem. Hearing no response, Commissioner Stulberg indicated that he wouldremoveconsentagendaitem #SA :since he had received blue cards on the item.
A. Ryan Builders, Inc. (95128)
Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by Ryan Builders, Inc. for a Site PlanAmendmentforconstructionofachillerroombuildingadditionatHoneywellSolidStateElectronicsCentel; 12001 Highway 55,
Planner Drill gave an overview of the December 14, 1995 staff report,
Chairman Stulberg introduced Bob Gumm, Facility Manager for Honeywell.
Alr, Gunn provided a background of the Honeywell operation, noting that it is critical tokeepitroomtemperatureof68-72 degrees in the labs, He also described the history oftheHoneywellbuildinginPlymouth. He indicated that the noise levels would be reducedwiththeinstallationofthenewcoolingequipment, ;and that they would eliminatechlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) with the new chillers.
Planning Commission Nfinutes
December 20, 1995
Page #239
Commissioner Ribbe asked what would replace the CFCs.
Mr. Gumm responded that a non -ozone depleting cooling system would be installed which
uses hydrotluorocarbons (HFCs),
Chairman Stulberg introduced Dean Osland, representing the applicant.
Mr. Osland indicated that the existing cooling system produces an 85 decibel noise level.
He stated that with the proposed changes, that noise would be reduced to a 73 decibel
level. This represents' approximately a 50 percent reduction in noise level.
Chairman Stulberg introduced Diane Bornhorst, 11714 Sunset Trail.
Ms. Bomhorst stated, that she had three questions. She fust asked if the reduction in
decibel levels were with installation of one of the cooling towers, or with installation of all
four towers, She also asked why four towers were needed. Lastly, she asked why the
City should approve the placement of all four if they are only going to construct one of
them at the current time.
Ms. Bornhorst also asked how the chillers compared to the chillers in Mankato where
there were recent disease outbreaks.
Chairman Stulberg introduced Marlys Rosengren, 800 Wmdmere Curve,
Mrs, Rosengren stated that they hear the noise from the Honeywell site in their house even
when they have their air conditioner on. She said she is also concerned with chemicals and
other hazardous things that Honeywell may have in their facility: She was concerned with
the work related to the radiation -hardened circuits. She wanted to know what those were,
She indicated when they moved into the area in 1978, the Honeywell facility was supposed
to be an office and she wanted to know how the business had changed from a,research and
development office use to a manufacturing type of use,
Chairman Stulberg introduced Charles Rosengren, 800 Windmere Curve
Mr. Rosengren showed a file that he had collected on the site since 1984, He said that the
air conditioners on top of the buildings were a problem and that over the years, Honeywell
had finally removed some of the older units. He stated that he had spoken with numerous
people at Honeywell and with the City of Plymouth over the years regarding noise
problems. He said that he had spoken with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and
was informed that an over 50 decibel level was unacceptable, and that in 1986, a der.1cl
level of 49-51 was taken on their deck. He wanted to know why Honeywell would have a
noise level in excess of 50 decibel levels,
planning Connuission Minutes
December 20, 1995
Page#240
Mr. Rosengren also stated that this past summer there were numerous truckers snaking
deliveries of nitrogen at night, and that the backing -up noises produced by the trucks were
extremely annoying. He wanted to know why the City had allowed the Honeywell facility
to be built in a residential area.
Chairman Stulberg introduced Alvin Hohbein, 1020 Ives Lane North. -
W. Hohben stated that the Honeywell facility has been a good neighbor and that he is
probably one of the closest homeowners to the facility. He lives on the north side ofHoneywell. He stated that noise from Highway'55 probably exceeds the noise that he
receives from Honeywell and that any plan that Honeywell is proposing will help reduce
the noise levels.
Chairman Stulberg then asked the applicant to respond to several questions.
Mr. Osland replied that the 50 decibel level is the acceptable noise level at the property
line and that the 73 decibel levet that he referred to would be the noise level at the cooling
tower. He stated a 50 decibel level would be achieved at the property line and the project
would meet State regulations.
Mr. Osland also indicated that they were requesting approval of all four cooling units since l .
it would help them organize and control costs, and that the units should all be in place bytheyear2005. The fourth cooling unit would not be used on a permanent basis, but only
as a backup. The proposal would result in the decommissioning of the older and noisier
towers.
Mr. Gumm stated that during the summer, they were doing some additional loading of
nitrogen into the facility and that some of those activities did occur at night. He stated
that he believes that this issue has been addressed, as they have requested that the drivers
do the operations dwring the day. He indicated that he would be willing to talk to
individual homeowners to address any of their concerns. He aiso indicated that noise from
the coolers comes from the top of the units.
Mr. Gumm stated that they have a very extensive and aggressive safety program to ensure
that there were no harmful contaminants emanating from their cooling towers, Along with
their own monitoring, they have contracted with an outside consulting firm to test
equipment and emissions on a regular basis He indicated that if there were a problem,
any airborne contaminants would affect the people inside the building rather than those
outside the building.
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Planning Commission,Minutes
December20, 1995
Page #241
Director Hurlburt stated that the City's Fire Department has worked with Honeywell andfeelsveryconfidentthattheHoneywellemergencyplansareadequate. She also indicatedthatthisapplicationisnotaddinganyadditionalhazardouschemicals.
Mr. Gumm stated that radiation -hardened equipment actually is a process by which to
negate radiation effects on products that are used in space exploration. He at that no
use of radiation occurs in the process:
Director Hurlburt indicated that they did not have specific history of earlier approvals of
the Honeywell site, as none of the staff present were with the City during the first yeats of t
the growth of the Honeywell site, She noted that the site and use complies with thezoningregulations.
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Ms, Bomhorst asked for a clearer explanation as to why the noise level generated from
four towers would not be four times more than the noise level generated from one tower. i
Mr. Osland re-emphasized that only three cooh,.rs would ever operate at one time. He -
otated that there is a scientific explanation as to why the noise level would not multiply, ` but would rather stay nearly the same regardless of the number of towers in operation. He j
provided the example of one person talking in a room; versus three people talking in the 1roomatthesamelevel.
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Mr. Osland added that a large compressor located on the west side of the building wasscheduledfordecommissioninginJuly1996, which will further help to reduce noiselevels.
MOTION by Commissioner Black, seconded by Commissioner Stimson to recommend
approval the request by Ryan Builders, Inc. for a Site Plan Amendment for construction of
a building addition at Honeywell Solid State Electronics Center, 12001 Highway 55.
Vote, 5 Ayes. MOTION carred unanimously,
Chairman Stulberg called a recess at 8:00 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 8110 p.m.
6. Public Hearings: None.
7. New Business:
A. Consider setting Special Meeting for January 3, 1996
Planning 'Supervisor Senness requested that this item be considered after review of item
48A, $o that the Commission and staff can 'better determine if a Special Meeting isrequired.
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Planning Commission Minutes
December 20, 1995
Page 11242
S. OW Business:
A. City of Plymouth, Draft Zoning Ordinance Review (9slo0)
Planning Supervisor Senness stated that this was the first review of the City Centersection, and the second review of the administrative and commerciavindustrial sections.
She reviewed her December 14, 1995 memorandum and noted that information relating tofoodstoreswasincludedinthepackettoanswerquestionsbroughtupinapreviousreview.
Planning Supervisor Senness introduced David Licht, project consultant.
Md Licht gave an overview of the City Center section, providing a revised draft of the
section that was dated December 20, 1995. He also provided a use district matrixhandoutandanarearequirementhandout.
Mr. Licht reviewed the sub -districts outlined in 21475.03. He described the uses thatwouldbe "permitted" and "conditional" under the City Center section of the draft.
Robert Guth, 2925 Holly Lane North, asked how the sub -districts relate to the map for theCityCenter,
Mn Licht stated that the green area on the map would be City Center -Public (CC-P);the
purple area would be City Center - Retail (CC R); the yellow area would be City Center— Retail/Entertainment (CC -RE); and the blue area would be City Center - Office/TechnicalCC -OT).
Mr, Guth asked if the City would approve off -sale liquor saler in the CC -RE district,
Community Development Director Huriburt stated that Mr, Guth's off -sale liquor businesswouldbegrandfatheredin, if something were to happen to Mr, Guth's business the Citywouldhavetodeterndnewhetheroff -sale liquor sales complies with the purpose and
intent of the City Center plan for that location, Director Hurlburt noted that off -sale
liquor was listed as a Conditional Use in the CC -RE and MOT districts, and was listedasapermitteduseintheCC -R district,
Planning Supervisor Senness provided an overview of the goals and design of the CityCenterconceptplan, She noted that the idea was to focus away from the automobile, placing parking lots on the side or at the rear of buildings. Parking lots are also to be
broken up with landscape features to prevent large expanses of pavement, PlanningSupervisorSennessnotedthatsharedparkingcouldbepossibleforuseswithdifferentpeakdemandsandthaton -street parking would be available in some.areas,
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Planning Commission M Mmes
December 20, 1995 ,
Page #243
Jeff Streeter, 205 W. Minnehaha Parkway, asked about potential parking problems if the
City has to rely on on -street parking. Planning Supervisor Senness stated that the City is
not relying on the on -street parking to make the plan world She noted that the consultants
plan indicates the required parking based on the building square footage, as shown on the
concept plan.
Commissioner Preus asked what would prevent a single building restaurant.
Mr, Licht stated that the performance standards, which have not yet been developed,
would address that issue.
Director Hurlburt added that one of the goals of the City Center plan was to strictly
regulate automobile oriented uses, such as drive-through businesses.
Planning Supervisor Senness added that the City Center would be more of a destination
center where 'people, could park once, and conduct several activities at different
businesses.
Responding to Commissioner Black, Mr. Licht stated that essential services would be
defined as things such as utility lines, wires, and pipes,
Responding to Commissioner Stimson, W. Licht stated that parking would be addressed
in much more detail in the performance standards. He added that parking is a critical
element orthe City Center plan.
Mr. Licht provided a background for the commercialrndustrial sections, noting that B-1
had been changed to C-1 and so on. This was done so that others will recognize a change
rather than assume they know what uses are allowed in any given district,
W. Licht noted the distinctions between the proposed industrial districts. He also
discussed the proposed Public/Institutional (PI) district.
Commissioner Stimsbn asked how truck traffic would be limited in the I-1 district. M.
Licht responded that language should be added to specify what the acceptable level of
truck traffic could be in the I-1 district. Director Huriburt added that if we allow'limited"
truck traffic, we should define what that means soave can avoid questions of interpretation
in the future,
Mr. Licht reviewed 21550,01 for the CommerciatNiarchouse (C -W) district, noting that
the language has been modified to clearly' specify that the purpose is to provide a transition
between commercial and industrial uses,
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Planning,Commission Minutes
December 20, 1995
Page #244
Mr. Licht stated that there are some changes to the area requirements for the
commercialfindustrial districts. He said he would produce a diagram for an upcoming
review to highlight these proposed changes.
Mr. Licht reviewed the changes to the administrative sections. Specific areas of
discussion included for following:
21015.07, relating to expiration for Conditional Use Permits.
21030.04, Subd, 2, (a) (5) noting that the Planning Commission would no longer be
noiii'M of minor variance applications.
21045.03, Subd. 1, noting that Sketch Plans were made optional.
21045.03, Subd. 2, noting that only the Zoning Administrator would have the
authority to refer Sketch Plans to the Commission and/or Council.
21045.07, noting that the Site Plan requirements were consolidated in this location,
Regarding Sketch Plans; Director Hurlburt noted that they would be referred to the
Commission or Council on a very infrequent basis, normally in cases representing a major
policy change, Mr. Licht noted the clause that specifies that any opinions or comments
are advisory only, and added that the Commission could decide to provide no response to
a Sketch Plan if it so desired.
7A. Consider setting Special Meeting for Jan;pary3, 1996
Planning Supervisor Senness stated that a special meeting would be useful so the
Commission could begin looking at mapping the commercialrndustdal areas into the
proposed zoning classifications,
The Planning Commission instructed staff to schedule a Special Meeting for 730 pan, on
January 3, 1996, upon confirmation that this time would work for the two absent Planning
Commission members,
9. Adjournment;
MOTION by Commissioner Stimson, seconded by Commissioner Black to adjourn.
Vote. 5Ayes, Motion carried unanimously,
Meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m,
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