Minutes - Council - 05/22/2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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story motel in the commercial distr/ct and a three-story senior apartment building in a residential district that was 44.25 feet in height. The aerial ladder truck was put in the Capital Equipment Plan in those years also, but it has still not been approved as a budgeted item for purchase. The Board of Adjustment met and held a public hearing on May 1, 2001. During the public hearing Fire Chief/Public Works Director Kapler stated his concerns in granting the variance to Amcor due to the City not having the truck and ladder apparatus to reach the 44.25 building height that Amcor is proposing to construct. Director of Public Works/Fire Chief Kapler stated that he stands by the recommendation of denial. He noted that he did meet with the architect and owner of Amcor Precast and if you look at this project in comparison to other projects the City has granted variances to, the public safety risk is considerably lower. Even so he still has to stand opposed to the variance request without the appropriate fire suppression equipment. Craig Miller, Miller Architects, stated that they will have a building that is built of non- combustible materials and they will be handling steel and concrete. He explained that the height is needed to accommodate an overhead crane. The building would be 44 feet at the peak of the roof and would have no equipment and no penetration to the roof portion. The only time people would have to be on the roof would be if there was a maintenance issue and with it being a metal roof they have a 25-year life. Safety is a top priority for Amcor and the building will be a fully sprinkled. Until the City does purchase an aerial ladder track there is a good mutual aid agreement between the cities of Andover, Anoka and Ramsey, but he would encourage the Council to purchase an aerial truck so that other businesses can come into the City and be adequately protected. Councilmember Hendriksen inquired as to why the surrounding ground couldn't be brought up nine feet to keep the height in compliance with City Code. Mr. Miller replied that to effectively take the products out of the building they need to have access doors so a flat condition is needed to the east, north and south side of the building. Councilmember Zimmerman inquired if granting a variance would expose the City to any liability. City Attorney Goodrich replied that if the developer is aware of the risk then he did not feel that it would expose the City to any extraordinary liability. Mr. Miller stated that there is a much greater risk with the Comfort Suites than there would be with Amcor's building. Mayor Gamec stated that each time a height restriction variance is granted there becomes a greater need for an aerial ladder truck. City Council/May 22, 2001 Page 11 of 23