Minutes - Planning Commission - 09/02/1997

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on resolution of the issue addressed in Findings of Fact #19 and compliance with the recommendations in the letter from City Engineer Steve Jankowski to John Enstrom dated August 28, 1997. Motion carried. Voting yes: Chairperson Bawden; Commissioners Deemer, Thorud, Holland, Jensen, LaDue, and Terry. Voting no: None. Absent: None. Case I/7: Request for Site Plan Review; Case of Vision-Ease Lens Zoning Administrator Frolik stated that Vision-Ease Lens is planning to utilize organic peroxide formulations in the manufacture of their polycarbonate based products. This material is considered a hazardous material. The peroxides are stored frozen until they are taken out of storage for immediate use. The material is not considered hazardous once it has been utilized in production. Vision-Ease is proposing to construct a 250 square foot one-room metal building on a concrete slab grade surrounded by a 6 foot chain link fence. There will be an earth berm approximately 9 feet high around the west, south and east sides of the building (the berm is higher than the building). The entrance to the building will be on the north side of the building. The building will be 100 feet from the nearest point of the proposed future expansion to the Vision-Ease facility and property lines. The building will house two typical residential style chest freezers which will hold the polyethylene bottles or trays containing the peroxide. Although a metal building would not be considered up to code in this area, Staff is recommending approval of the structure because the entire building will be screened by the berm, except for the employee entrance on the north wall. Staff.would also recommend that the berm be landscaped. Commissioner Jensen asked why the City would accept a metal building versus the code requirements. Zoning Administrator Frolik stated it would be accepted because it would be surrounded by the earth berm and would not be visible from the roadway. Commissioner Jensen asked if the chemicals would explode easily and questioned the necessity of the earth berm. Mr. Tom Moravec, Director of Technology of Vision-Ease, stated the material will start to burn by itself if the temperature raises to a certain level. Commissioner Holland asked if there were other facilities like this in the Twin Cities. Mr. Moravec stated he was not aware of any other buildings that housed peroxide. The Fire Chief is aware of the proposal and did not have any further input. Commissioner Thorud questioned the necessity of the 9 foot berm. Planning Commission/September 2, 1997 Page 10 of 12