Minutes - Planning Commission - 10/21/1997 - Special Meeting

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Motion Carded. Voting Yes: Chairperson Bawden, Commissioners Deemer, Ten-y, Jensen, LaDue, and Thorud. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner Holland. Case/t2 Request for Site Plan Review: Case of Northern Airgas, Inc. Zoning Administrator Frolik stated that the City has received a request for site plan review and approval from Northern Airgas, Inc. to relocate the current facility from Highway #10 to Business Park 95 Seventh Addition. The plan proposes to construct a 29,336 square foot office and warehouse facility and a 11,440 acetylene plant. She advised that site plans are not required to be subjected to public hearings. Ted Erkenbrack, Northern Airgas, Inc., advised the landscaping along the north has been altered to include berming to shelter the dock doors. In response to City Staff Review letter, he said if one of the accesses on Radium is moved 50 feet, it will not be directly inline with the access across the street. He noted the plan for the area is to have one way in and altering by 50 feet will prevent smooth traffic flow. City Engineer Jankowski stated the 100 foot distance would most likely be an acceptable situation. Mr. Erkenbrack inquired if the waste storage area need to be enclosed on three sides. Zoning Administrator Frolik advised City Code requires 100% screening of waste storage areas. She indicated berming or screening would be sufficient and added that other site plans do provide 100% screening. Robert Kirchner, Anoka Community Development Director, asked what the relative setback standards were at the municipal boundary and what would happen at the municipal boundary in the future. He stated the setback appears to be 10 feet or less, and advised that is a concern to Anoka. He asked for clarification on the development standards, the number of trucks to be utilizing the facility and their parking location, and inquired if concrete curb and gutter with an asphalt parking lot would be constructed. He asked if Northern Airgas, Inc. had explosive potential and questioned if the Fire Department was aware of the danger. He also requested input on the construction materials. He also stated the most specific concerns Anoka has are regarding the drainage and elevation. Commissioner Bawden suggested Mr. Kirchner contact staff directly to work out clarifications. Mr. Kirchner explained that Anoka is a drive-thru city and during Anoka's Comprehensive Planning, they would be focusing on how to deal with traffic through residential neighborhoods and how to protect the neighborhoods. Commissioner Deemer stated he understands Anoka's concerns regarding traffic, but reminded Mr. Kirchner of the traffic congestion on Thurston Street and indicated Ramsey streets are used as outlets for Anoka's industrial area. He stated connecting McKinley Street would be advantageous to both Ramsey and Anoka. Mr. Kirchner suggested Ramsey and Anoka have a coordination of site plan review along their common boundary. Planning Commission/October 21, 1997 Page 3 of 5