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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 9, 2009 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes November 2, 2009 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2009 1. Call to Order: Chairman Ringstad called the November 9, 2009, Planning Commission meeting to order at 6:12 p.m. Those present were Commissioners Perez, Billington, Fleming, Howley and Ringstad, Community Development and Natural Resources Director Parr. 2. Approval of Minutes: The Minutes from the September 28, 2009, Planning Commission meeting were approved as presented. 3. Public Hearings: A. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR A UTILITY SUBSTATION IN THE AGRICULTURAL ZONING DISTRICT CommunityDevelopmentandNaturalResourcesDirectorParr presented the Planning Report dated November 9, 2009 advising the Commission that the Shakopee Public Utility Commission (SPUC) has filed an application for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow for a utility substation on the property located north of County Road 42 and 21 (west of the future Co Rd 21 expansion to the north) on the City boundary shared with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. This site and the property west, east and south of the site are zoned A (Agricultural). The demand for electricity has grown, as has the need to locate a utility substation in the vicinity of where it is proposed as a part of the subject Conditional Use Permit (CUP). The proposal involves locating an electric substation and the necessary accessory equipment (transmission line structures, high voltage supports, breakers, switches, power transformers, switchgear buildings, static shield wire support poles, and an antenna pole. Site characteristics and an analysis of access, signage, landscaping, lighting, structure and fencing requirements were provided; along with an analysis of Conditional Use Permit requirements. Noted that the application was shared with Shakopee and the SMSC and neither expressed concern. JosephAdams , SPUC representative, 255 Sarazin Street in Shakopee, commented that the site was chosen due to access to the transmission systems and a corridor to distribute the power. Thanked staff for their assistance. Comments: Fleming : Asked about the timing for construction and the future access point. Adams : Responded that it is scheduled with the CR 21 construction as part of the agreement with the County to do the rough grading along with grading for the road project. Will begin construction in late summer 2010 and continue to early summer 2011. Billington: Asked if there are concerns about the noise and impact on adjacent property. KevinFavero, RW Beck, 1380 Corporate Center, St. Paul : Replied that the main noise that people are concerned with is the 60 cycle hum from the transformers. Explained that they buy low noise transformers so the sound is attenuated by the time it reaches the property edge. 1 L:\09 FILES\09 PLANNING COMMISSION\09 MINUTES\MN110909.doc Planning Commission Meeting Minutes November 2, 2009 DRAFT Billington: Asked if any impact on wildlife should be anticipated. Favero : Replied that the surrounding fence is designed with small mesh to prevent animals from entering the substation site. Billington: Asked about how power sources feed into and out of the substation. Favero : Replied that electrical circuits going north and south along CR 21 will be underground. Billington: Asked where above-ground wire will be encountered. Favero: Responded that the north existing overhead lines are on CR 16 and to the south they are along CR 42 and those will continue to be in place. Billington: Asked if lights will be operating 24-hours per day. Favero : Replied there will be very small lights for security purposes. Howley : Asked if the property will remain agricultural zoning. Parr : Replied it will most likely never be residential. With the CR 21 extension coming through, there may be commercial to the north if appropriate. Howley : Asked if this electricity goes on the grid for everyone. Adams : Replied it will be for customers in the Shakopee service territory. Territories are proscribed by State law. Some residents of Prior Lake will be served with this substation. Howley : CR 21 will be new gateway to the City and this will be the first thing people see when they enter the City. The landscape plan is good, but asked if it will be irrigated so it will remain viable. Adams : No irrigation is planned at this time, but experience at other substations has shown that the Arbor Vitae will thrive and form a solid screen around the fence over time. Howley : Asked what protection the City will have in the event the plantings die. Parr: Replied that the City will have a letter of credit for 125% of the value of the landscaping and it remains in place for two growing seasons. Beyond that, the CUP requires the landscaping. They will be responsible for replacing anything that dies. A MOTION WAS MADE BY BILLINGTON AND SECONDED BY FLEMING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. VOTE: Ayes by Perez, Billington, Fleming Howley and Ringstad. The motion carried and the public hearing opened at 6:24 p.m. Comments : No person stepped forward to speak. A MOTION WAS MADE BY HOWLEY AND SECONDED BY FLEMING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. VOTE: Ayes by Perez, Billington, Fleming Howley and Ringstad. The motion carried and the public hearing closed at 6:25 p.m. Comments: Howley : Concurred with the findings and will approve. Billington : Will approve. Perez: The applicant has worked with staff and conditions have been met. Will approve. Fleming: Thanked applicants for answering questions. Will support. Ringstad: A good observation that this substation may be the first thing people see entering the City and the landscaping is important and likes that there is a process to keep it in place. A MOTION WAS MADE BY BILLINGTON AND SECONDED BY FLEMING TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 09-05PC APPROVING A CONDITIONAL US PERMIT TO ALLOW A UTILITY SUBSTATION IN THE AGRICULTURAL ZONING DISTRICT. VOTE: Ayes by Perez, Billington, Fleming Howley and Ringstad. The motion carried. 4. Old Business: None 2 L:\09 FILES\09 PLANNING COMMISSION\09 MINUTES\MN110909.doc Planning Commission Meeting Minutes November 2, 2009 DRAFT 5. New Business: None 6. Announcements and Correspondence: None 7. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:29 p.m. 3 L:\09 FILES\09 PLANNING COMMISSION\09 MINUTES\MN110909.doc