Minutes - Council - 07/25/1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Case #6: Request for Preliminary Plat Approval of AEC Energy park; Case of Anoka Electric Cooperative (AEC) Zoning Administrator Frolik informed Council that as part of their relocation to Ramsey, Anoka Electric Cooperative (AEC) has acquired approximately 138 acres in the southeast corner of the intersection of C.S.A.H. #116 and C.S.A.H. #56. AEC is requesting preliminary plat approval to plat the property into commercial lots. The preliminary plat submitted to the Planning Commission consisted of 10 commercial lots and one outlot; two commercial lots and one outlot on the north side of Sunwood Drive and eight commercial lots on the south side. Subsequent to the Planning Commission review, the applicants have made some minor revisions to the proposed plat, based upon input received from the Commission. The plat will still consist of 10 commercial lots and one outlot; however, there will be seven commercial lots south of Sunwood Drive and three lots and one outlot on the north side of Sunwood Drive. The Planning Commission recommended against commercial access onto Sunwood Drive and recommended that 143rd be extended east from Jaspar Street, to allow for this access. Staff is of the opinion that Sunwood Drive is a preferable access. A fonrth collector of 143rd east to County Road #116 seems to be of marginal value. It is also notable that this plat is intended as a light industrial area. The area south of 143rd is generally heavy industrial use. It may be of benefit to not mix the two if it can be avoided. Ms. Frolik summarized that Staff is recommending approval of the preliminary plat with the intent of utilizing Sunwood Drive for access within the plat. However, given Planning Commission advice, we are recommending two additional changes. We are asking that an outlot be platted for 143rd, east of Jasper Street, for future roadway, should the current staff view of the situation be deemed as an error in the future. She also suggested the easement acquisition for a Jasper Street extension from 143rd to Sunwood Drive. This right-of-way would allow for two lots to perhaps have a future access other than Sunwood. It would also allow for an access to eastbound County Road gl 16 using a route other than County Road #56, or the eventual McKinley Street. Both of these additions, we believe, answer most of the Planning Commission recommendations. She reported that the Park Commission recommended acceptance of the wetland area and some high ground in the northeast corner of the plat for park and open space purposes. The intent is to develop a trail around the perimeter of the wetland with some picnic sites. Doug Uhrhammer, Anoka Electric Cooperative, presented a sketch of the proposed AEC building. He explained that when they first designed it, they designed Sunwood Drive straight through. They did not know that A1 Phillips of Altron was planning an expansion and that would prohibit his plan. He explained that AEC has no problem making that jog in the road. He talked about possibly erecting another small building in an area but stated there would not be a lot of land that can be developed due to the road configuration. He pointed out the wetl,'mds and commented on their size. Councilmember Zimmerman mentioned the two accesses off of C.R. #56 and inquired where they are on the plat. Mr. Uhrhammer pointed out the access and what they would be used for. Councilmember Zimmerman commented that the Planning Commission was concerned about access onto an MSA road. He couldn't imagine that that would be allowed. Mr. Uhrhammer commented that they would be controlled accesses. Councilmember Zimmennan inquired about semi-trailers. Mr. Uhrhammer stated there would be no semi-trailers; nothing bigger than utility tracks. Ben Deemer, 14501 Sunfish Lake Boulevard, Ramsey, stated he is on the Planning Commission and also that he has property on Sunwood Drive. He stated he argued last Cily Council/July 25, 1995 Page 11 of 18