Agenda - Council - 11/22/1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Another issue of concern that was discussed is the potential for groundwater contamination due to storm water mn-off. The incoming materials are visually inspected for unacceptable materials four times during processing: 1) by hauler, 2) on the tipping floor, 3) during mixing; 4) during loading for distribution. (Contaminated loads are returned to the generator.) Another possible source of contamination would be the sewage sludge. However, the sewage sludge that is used must meet EPA standards for land spreading before it leaves the waste water treatment plant. Contamination resulting from the finished product stored outside is very unlikely as the finished product is a graded topsoil and is tested every 60 days in accordance with EPA regulations.. Additionally, there is very lirde leaching with compost and what mn-off there is would be directed to a sedimentation basin and contained on the site. The existing monitoring wells on the site would also alert the operator to any potential contamination problems. On December 7, 1993, the Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a public hearing regarding the compost facility proposal. One resident of Hunter's Hill, the neighborhood east of the proposed site, was present. At that meeting, it was determined that Commissioners Bawden and Deemer would accept the applicant's offer to provide them with a site visit to a couple of similar facilities in the eastern part of the counn-y. The Commission voted 6 to 1 to recommend City Council approval of the request They also directed Commissioners Bawden and Deemer to make a verbal report to Council on December 14 for their use in refining the proposed findings of fact relating to the case. Staff has solicited analysis of the proposal from both Hakanson Anderson & Associates and RLK and Associates. Their independent analyses have been integrated into the Findings and the CUP. If the proposal receives Council approval, it also will require Anoka County and State of Minnesota permits. Staff Recommendation: City Staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommend approval of the conditional use permit. Without the benefit of any personal observation of an existing compost facility, the Planning Commission did not feel qualified to respond to Items 31, 32, 35, and 36 of the findings of fact. For that reason, they have directed Commissioners Bawden and Deemer to make a verbal repot[ to City Council on December 14 regarding their v/sit to an operating compost facility. Based on their report, City Council should respond to Items 31, 32, 35 and 36 of the findings accordingly. Staff is also recommending that a finding be added to indicate that the compost faciiiry is not considered a hazardous waste generator for which Iicensing is required. Motion to adopt Resolution ~3-12- _ accepting the findings of fact ~. ~ / ')~ta~ng to ~S r~uest for a ~ ~o esmb~sh ~d o~ra~: a compost fac~iB,. Morion to adopt Re~$ ~3-1 approving ~e r~uest for a C~ ~om ~S bas~ upon the ~gs of fact ~ ~ Reviewed by: City Admini.~trator CC: 12/14/93