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<br />Mr. Bertolas replied the individual that plans to be the proprietor of the daycare center, Debby <br />Williams, has done extensive research with the state. Ms. Williams has worked at Creative Kids <br />and has seen centers much closer to high level traffic areas. She has done a lot of legwork <br />already to get ready for this. <br /> <br />Commissioner Van Scoy asked Mr. Bertolas to address the concerns about objectionable odors. <br /> <br />Mr. Bertolas replied he works by these odors and has never really had a problem. There are days <br />when it is hot and the wind is blowing right that they will smell the asphalt. As far as the traffic, <br />this is set back from the street a long ways and there would be a privacy fence mandated by the <br />State. Mr. Bertolas stated they see daycares on extremely busy roads; the two closest centers are <br />located on Highways 47 and 10. He does not feel that is an issue that should preclude them from <br />being able to build a daycare center. If a parent does not like the location it is their choice not to <br />bring their child there. <br /> <br />Assistant Community Development Director Frolik clarified staff is not stating that the odors are <br />toxic. Commercial Asphalt has always operated within MPCA guidelines, but the odors are <br />objectionable on certain days depending on the product mix. <br /> <br />Commissioner Cleveland noted the children will be confined to this location and unable to walk <br />across the street to a park. <br /> <br />Commissioner Cleveland inquired about the size of the contained unit. <br /> <br />Mr. Bertolas replied the play area would be 3,400 square feet. State law requires 75 square feet <br />per child on the playground at anyone time, which is feasible with the number of children they <br />would likely have. <br /> <br />Mr. Dennis Sharp, Sharp and Associates, stated this summer there was probably a little truck <br />traffic by this building because Ramsey Boulevard was closed off, but there is not a truck route <br />on 143rd Avenue or Azurite Street. As far as the odors, they put up quite a number of buildings <br />around this area, and he does not think there have been many complaints. Commercial Asphalt <br />has done a good job as far as odor emissions. Mr. Sharp stated he has talked to a number of <br />tenants in the multi-tenant buildings, and they thought the daycare would be a terrific idea <br />because they have to drive a long ways for childcare. He thinks this would be an ideal place for a <br />childcare center. The playground will be under the trees and the young lady that would like to <br />run this operation is very nice and wants to do everything right; they have been working with her <br />to get something laid out that would really improve the area and be a convenience to a lot of the <br />businesses around the area because it would be relatively close to a lot of the business people. <br /> <br />Motion by Chairperson Nixt, seconded by Commissioner Van Scoy, to close the public hearing. <br /> <br />Motion Carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Nixt, Commissioners Van Scoy, Brauer, Cleveland, <br />Hunt, and Trites Rolle. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner Levine. <br /> <br />The public hearing closed at 7:47 p.m. <br /> <br />Planning Commission/October 5, 2006 <br />Page 7 of 20 <br />