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BOARD BUSINESS Case #1: Request for Site Plan Approval; Case of Northern Airgas, Inc. Zoning Administrator Frolik stated that Northern Airgas, Inc. is requesting site plan review and approval of a 29,336 square foot office and warehouse facility and an 11,440 square foot acetylene plant in the Business Park 95. The site proposes to have two accesses onto Radium Street, which will extend north off the eastern terminus of McKinley Street. The site plan also shows two accesses to a 26-foot private driveway located on what may become the extension of McKinley Street to the east. All accesses proposed are acceptable to City. The site plan is in compliance with City Code and the Business Park 95 covenants regarding zoning, lot coverage, setbacks, landscaping, design and number of off-street parking areas and driveways. The submittal is deficient of a Lighting Plan which is subject to City Engineer's approval, and the construction materials for the waste storage area must be identified. The exterior of the buildings are proposed to be precast concrete panels. The height of the warehouse portion of the principal building is proposed to be 42'6" from grade; City Code restricts building heights to 35 feet, and the applicant applied for and received a variance from the Board of Adjustment. The City Council approved the site plan on October 28, 1997. City Staff recommends intensifying screening on the east and southeast portions of the site. City Staff was approached by the City of Anoka, and they expressed concern regarding a buffer area on the common property line. (This property borders Anoka city limits.) The applicant has agreed to increase the buffer by 10 feet. Board Member Thorud inquired as to the color of the precast panels. Eldon Morrison, architect for Northern Airgas, Inc., responded that they will be an off- white/gray. He explained that the office building will actually have stucco panels made to look like precast, and the warehouse will have precast panels. He added that the windows will be tinted. Board Member Wagner inquired whether there would be adequate screening of the loading docks, and Mr. Morrison replied there would be no problem with intensifying the screening. Board Member Kent inquired whether the proper permits were obtained regarding the industrial discharge into the sanitary sewer system, and Ms. Frolik replied that City Engineer Jankowski has been advised that they are making application for the required permits. Ms. Frolik added that the site plan also proposes a monitoring system to sample the discharge going into the sanitary sewer system. Board Member Perovich inquired whether all activity relating to the storage of acetylene tanks was enclosed, and Mr. Morrison assured the Board that it was by describing the construction of the acetylene plant. Motion by Board Member Thorud and seconded by Board Member Perovich to approve the proposed site plan for Northern Airgas contingent upon compliance with the City Staff Review Letter dated October 16, 1997, Business Park 95 Architectural Review Board/October 29, 1997 Page 2 of 3