Minutes - Council - 07/27/1988 - Special

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permit, since it will have determined that the project is environmentally acceptable, that the City automatically concurs as a portion of the Conditional U~ Parmit.'" Mr. Labat then raferrad to MPCA's letter to Mr. David Hartley dated July 27, 1988 which states that the responsibility for siting this facility lies with the City of Ramsey; MPCA's responsibility is to be sure that appropriate environmental protection is provided;; if this protection is not available, then the MPCA will not issue a permit. The letter further states that resources do not allow the MPCA to monitor operations of this facility on a day-to-day basis; the MPCA will review continuous monitoring reports, perrformance testing data and will make periodic inspections of the facility; that MPCA is committed to an agressive enforcement policy on waste incinerators, however proper operation and maintenance of the facility is solely Atlas Incinerators' responsibility. The letter further notes that a facility with the capacity to incinerate greater than 1,000 pounds per hour must apply for an air emission facility permit. Mr. Labat stated that on that basis, Atlas could have served it's purpose and split it's property into 3 separate lots and operated a 950 pound capacity incinerator on each lot without having to go through the permitting process. Atlas chose to be a responsible corporate citizen and be totally open and factual and go through the very laborious permitting process. Atlas looks forward to a proper conditional use permit that all parties can live with and very extensive review by MPCA to see if Atlas can prove it can operate a proper facility. Ramsey expects State agencies to do their job; as a taxpayer, it is an indication of proper service. Atlas looks forward to being in Ramsey. Mr. Labat presented a map of the metro area indicating the locations of 150 Atlas incinerator installations. Atlas likes to think that all 150 are operating properly, but if they are not, it is because of poor operators. By researching and developing good incinerators, Atlas can sell more incinerators and help solve a serious waste disposal problem. State laws says that by 1990, all waste in the 7 county metro area has to be recylced or incinerated before disposal in a landfill. There is no way agencies and units of government will site these facilities without doing their homework and that is what MPCA is charged to do. B. Opposition closing remarks - Sharon Dahlgren - 6328 143rd Lane - Stated that she represents area residents concerned with the Atlas request for a Conditional Use Permit. That group of residents has formed a committee called STERN which stands for Save The Environment Ramsey Needs. This Atlas request is not just a concern of the residents in the immediate area, but in the entire city. People moved to Ramsey for the rural life and clean environment. The STERN Committee has worked with the Ramsey Zoning Ordinance and found that any facility of this type does not comply with the ordinance. The purpose of the Zoning Ordinance is to promote the health, safety, morals, comfort, convenience, prosperity and general welfare of the residents of Ramsey. Ramsey already knows through the impact study done on the existing landfill that property values are already down; the image of Ramsey is not being helped with the Atlas situation. Concerned residents do not see Atlas' request being harmonious with the Comprehensive Plan. Michael McClurken - 15855 Juniper Ridge Drive - Stated that he has a PHd City Council/July 27, 1988 Page 3 of 9