Agenda - Planning Commission - 05/26/2022

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Senior Planner Anderson commented that any HOP would have a provision that would provide the City with the legal right to inspect the property with notice to the property owner. He commented on the enforcement ability that staff would have if there were issues. Charles Lattery, 17646 Saint Francis Boulevard, commented that his property abuts the east side of the subject property. He stated that he met the Hillmans when they moved in, and they have been quiet and kept to themselves. He commented on the loud banging mentioned by the previous speaker. He stated that the property owners made unstable ground stable in order to make a drivable surface to the pole barn. He noted that class five material was laid and once that was finished the noise stopped. He noted that work was done within the allowed hours of City Ordinance noting that the property owners were respectful of neighbors during that time. He stated that he has lived on his property for 18 years. He stated that many people are working from home now following COVID and asked how the excessive FedEx and UPS trucks making deliveries to homes is different than this family trying to support themselves through their small business. He stated that the CEO of Medtronic started out of a two-car garage, you have to start somewhere as an entrepreneur. Denying this permit would crush this family’s dreams. He stated that he has no complaints, the Hillmans have been great neighbors and have been respectful. Carl Blookhouse, Elk River resident, stated that he is the applicant’s father in-law and commented that Mr. Hillman is a respectable man that works well with people. He stated that they work with high school kids on occasion which gives them something positive to do as well. He commented that the machinery on the Ramsey property is his and will be moving to his new property as previously mentioned. He agreed that the noise was from the gravel that was put onsite to improve the driving surface. He stated that they have been operating out of the two-car garage for 20 years and have never had any complaints. He stated that they do not hear any noise from the trucks coming to the site that would be different than any general traffic noise from 47. He stated that he is not aware of any traffic issues on Green Valley Road but has noticed accidents further up 47. He commented that they would not be generating any noticeable traffic that would be different than Amazon deliveries or deliveries to the greenhouse business. Ronald Trail, 6025 Green Valley Road, commented that he lives on the corner of 47 and the traffic is unbearable, and he has seen accidents. He commented that at no time, did any person accessing the subject property account for those issues. He stated that perhaps one vehicle comes to the site per day with the exception of a delivery vehicle such as Amazon. He commented that there is one truck that leaves the site and comes back later in the day. He commented that is the truck of the applicant. He noted that he has only noticed maybe one delivery vehicle per day. He stated that he has a large patio door that looks at the subject property and he is home most days as he is retired. He commented that there are no disturbances caused by this applicant. He stated that the disturbances are caused by the greenhouse, noting that he counted 85 vehicles in the lot for that business at 3:30 today, including 22 or 23 trucks. He stated that business has outgrown its 40 acres and has expanded into the 30-acre lot next door. He stated that the traffic and problems are from the greenhouse business. He stated that Green Valley Road is one mile from 47 to Nowthen Boulevard and there are probably 1,000 vehicles per day, noting that he counted ten vehicles in one minute this morning. He commented that people have been killed at that intersection, but this family is not the cause, and they are helping the neighborhood. He referenced a complaint that people are moving to the area to get away from the bright lights, but they actually moved towards Planning Commission/April 28, 2022 Page 6 of 20