Loading...
2019-08-13 PC MinutesNbertAlle ALBERTVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2019 APPROVED MINUTES ALBERTVILLE CITY HALL 1. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL - ADOPT AGENDA Chair Buhrmann called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Maeghan Becker conducted roll call. 7:00 PM Present: Chair Buhrmann and Commissioners, Brempell, Klecker, Hudson, Anderson. Absent: Council Liaison Halling. Others Present: City Planner Alan Brixius, Lexi Weihe, Fire Chief Eric Bullen and Building Permit Technician Maeghan Becker, Mark Grave (Federated Co -Op), Ken O'Brien (Federated Co -Op) Motioned by Hudson, seconded by Anderson, to approve the agenda. Ayes: Buhrmann, Brempell, Klecker, Hudson, and Anderson. Nays: None. Absent. Hailing. MOTION DECLARED CARRIED. 2. MINUTES Motioned by Klecker, seconded by Anderson to approve the July 9, 2019 Planning Commission meeting minutes. Ayes. Buhrmann, Brempell, Klecker, Hudson, and Anderson. Nays: None. Absent. Hailing. MOTION DECLARED CARRIED. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Public hearing to consider a request from Federated Co -Op for a PUD amendment to allow a 10,000 gallon above ground gasoline storage tank at their property at 11229 60th Street NE in Albertville (Continued from the July 9, 2019 Planning Commission Meeting) Brixius went over the highlights from the last planning commission meeting in July, regarding Federated Co -Op. Since the meeting Federated has met with City staff twice to go over a list of security efforts they are willing to complete to reduce the safety concerns of the City. Brixius went over the Summit Companies report and informed Commissioners of the following findings: 1. The existing tank field meets minimum separation from property lines. 2. The containment area has diking and capacity to accommodate the new 10,000 tank. 3. The separation between tanks is adequate. 4. Existing pipelines are in a safe arrangement. 5. All aspects of the existing and proposed tank installation are in compliance with applicable code requirements. Brixius also went over the letters from the Fire Chief. The first letter outlined the original concerns of the Fire Chief, Building Official, Building Inspectors/Fire Marshal and County Emergency Management Coordinator. The new letter from the Fire Chief dated August 6, 2019, addresses the new proposal from Federated Co -Op which is to do more training for both the fire department and Co -Op employees for emergency operations. In response to City Staff concerns, the applicant has identified the tank capacities and fuel storage within the tanks over a 16 day period (see the table in the planners report dated August 7, 2019 on page 13). Brixius informed that the applicant has expressed they are willing to remove a smaller 1,000 gallon tank in exchange for the 10,000 gallon tank. The applicant also stated that all of the fuel tanks are vented which prevents the tanks from building up pressure to create an explosive situation. Brixius went over the zoning of the property. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 2 Regular Meeting of August 13, 2019 In conclusion, Brixius went over the three options for the Planning Commissioners: 1. Recommendation for denial of the PUD amendment with the following findings: ■ The addition of a new 10,000 gallon gasoline above ground storage tank will almost double the gasoline storage on the site. ■ Gasoline is more combustible than the other fuels stored at the site. ■ The site offers not water supply to the site for the fire department. ■ The Albert Fire Department lacks the equipment to handle a non -routine call at the facility. ■ The site offers no on -site, fire -fighting equipment that would assist the fire department with a non -routine call at the facility. ■ The new fuel storage tank does not meet the Emergency Response Guidelines for downwind evacuation separations for adjoining land uses. 2. Federated Co -Op continues to be a valued business within the City and the expansion of the business is critical for their continued success. In this regard, City Staff can recommend approval of additional gasoline storage with the condition that it is an underground tank and meets the applicable performance standards of Section 4400.4 for a motor fuel station. With this approval the applicant shall submit a revised site plan and tank construction plans for review and approval of the City Staff. 3. Federated Co -Op has offered a list of improvements that will further secure and improved emergency operations for both the existing fuel tank field and the new 10,000 gallon tank. The fuel levels within the tanks are seldom at full capacity at the same time and Federated is willing to remove one of the smaller gasoline tanks which will be replaced by the new larger tank. With the following conditions the Planning Commission recommends that the City Council approve the addition of a 10,000 gallon above ground gasoline storage tank based on the plans submitted. ■ The above ground tank meets all building and fire code requirements per the Summit evaluation report. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 3 Regular Meeting of August 13, 2019 Alarm: The applicant will train their employees and have the direct dial to the police station if the monitor ever shows an issue. The alarm will go off if the tank gets hotter than 100 degrees. Monitor: The applicant will give the Fire Chief access to the fuel tank monitor in cases of an emergency. Federated Co - Op staff will allow the Fire Department to have access to their tank monitoring software via a mobile app. This app, which is now in use by Federated Co -Op, would allow the Fire Department to virtually "see" the tank levels and temperatures in each of the individual tanks. Access to this application would be limited to the Fire Chiefs Wad and the Fire Department's Engine 11 Wad. ■ Federated Co -Op employees, and their transport staff, will be trained in the use of the above app and directed on when to call 9-1-1 should any tank show any level or temperature issues. ■ Security: The applicant will bring in additional gravel in the low spots and will anchor the fence in a manner that prevents trespass under the fence. The fence anchoring will be subject to the approval of City Staff. ■ Buy the Fire Department additional foam to help combat a fire. Quantities to be determined by the Fire Chief. ■ Safety Training: The applicant is to donate money for some additional joint training of both the Fire Department and its employees in the establishment of an emergency management plan for the site. ■ Install dusk/dawn lighting in the loading area. This will aid in providing our employees a safer loading environment. The addition of dusk/dawn lighting will be a deterrent to site entry from outsiders. Lighting will be 90 degree cutoff light fixtures consistent with current requirements. ■ Electrical power will remain locked out during all non - business hours via a padlocked breaker box. Federated Co- Ops will explore pass code/key code power options to provide additional protection. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 4 Regular Meeting of August 13, 2019 Federated Co -Op will work with the Fire Department on finding a third party vendor to construct an Emergency Action Plan for the facility allowing both Federated Co -Op Staff and the Fire Department to train under one, unified, plan. Federated Co -Op has indicated they would be willing to make a monetary donation to fund this process. Federated Co -Op shall bear the expense for the development of the Emergency Action plan specific to the site. The Action plan shall be completed within 6 months of the PUD approval. Federated Co -Op will remove any smaller fuel tanks on the property that are not needed for their day-to-day operations. Federated Co -Op will work with the Fire Department to secure extra firefighting foam to be used solely for any incidents at the Federated Co -Op facility. Currently our foam supply comes in 5-gallon buckets, and is stored at the Fire Department. The Fire Department would be comfortable having 100 gallons of foam on hand for the Federated Co -Op facility. Federated Co -Op has indicated they would be open to purchasing foam for potential use at their facility. Klecker asked about the monitoring system being located at the Fire Department. Chief clarified that the monitors would be viewable by an app via phone or a tablet. Commissioner Hudson asked about the concern of proximity of residencies, and what is the added danger of adding a new tank? The Fire Chief responded that adding an additional tank, you are increasing the risk by adding another tank and the additional risk of something happening to that tank, and not necessarily adding to the aftermath damages. The distance of the damage does not increase because of adding an additional tank. Brixius stated that the conditions listed in the approval will increase the security on the site, which should be taken into consideration. Motioned by Brempell, seconded by Anderson, to open the Public Hearing. Ayes: Buhrmann, Brempell, Klecker, Hudson, and Anderson. Nays: None. Absent: Hailing. MOTION DECLARED CARRIED. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 5 Regular Meeting of August 13, 2019 Mark Grave and Ken O'Brien with Federated Co -Op approached the podium. Grave began showing photos of the site and the existing tanks. Grave told commissioners how the facility was built and demonstrated more photos to show the shut off valves and how the tanks work. Anderson asked how many tanks will be removed and what the capacity is of the tanks that will be removed. Grave and O'Brien responded with 1 tank that is 1,000 gallons. Buhrmann asked about how many tank farms are operated by Federated Co -Op, and how many of the 7 are within city limits. O'Brien and Grave responded that all of them are within city limits. Buhrmann is wondering if this additional tank could be added to another location, instead of in the middle of Albertville. Anderson questioned putting the tank on the Princeton/Milaca location. Grave responded that it would be a financial hardship. Grave discussed the app that the Fire Department will have access to with the Commissioners and how it will be beneficial. Buhrmann asked how many staff are onsite, O'Brien informed six full time employees. Grave spoke on the fencing around the facility. He stated that they would direct motion detectors. Buhrmann asked about the vandalism on the tanks. Grave confirmed that there was some vandalism. Brempell and Grave discussed the tank levels and how much product is in each tank and if that goes up and down by seasons. Klecker asked about the temperature of the tanks and what would happen if the temperature gets higher and higher and what does it mean to the Chief. O'Brien said it would trigger an alarm and that someone would need to check out the situation. Klecker is wondering if the difference between an above ground tank versus a below ground tank. Grave stated that they would need to monitor tanks for pollution if they were underground. Anderson questioned the number of emergency responder calls this site has and what kind of calls they have been. Fire Chief responded that Federated Co -Op has had very little calls, the staff is very good at mitigating situations and he does not remember the last call they have had out there. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 6 Regular Meeting of August 13, 2019 Anderson questioned the access to water and if it is available and would it be helpful for fighting this type of situation. Chief responded that foam and would be helpful for this type of situation. The foam that would be reserved from Federated Co -Op is to help by time until more resources are available on site. Anderson asked about the motion lights and cameras. Grave stated that will be set in place as a deterrent, and that there are no cameras on site. Klecker and Grave discussed how the venting works on the tanks. Fire Chief Bullen stated that Federated has been very accommodating with upping their security measures to move forward with this additional tank being installed. Grave stated that they are open to making this an interim use permit, therefore, if the property was ever purchased by a new owner, they would need to apply for a new permit. Motioned by Hudson, seconded by Klecker, to close the Public Hearing. Ayes: Buhrmann, Brempell, Klecker, Hudson, and Anderson. Nays: None. Absent. Hailing. MOTION DECLARED CARRIED. Commissioners discussed the options of having the tanks above ground versus below ground. Klecker commented that he does not feel comfortable allowing this tank to be placed so close to homes, and the park where a lot of events are held. Brempell commented that he believes with the already existing tanks, adding another one does not increase the damages that could already happen with what is existing, but by adding this tank we are gaining more security so and explosion does not happen. Motioned by Hudson, seconded by Brempell, to approve the request from Federated Co -Op for a PUD amendment to allow a 10,000 gallon above ground gasoline storage tank at their property at 11229 60th Street NE in Albertville with the conditions listed in the August 7, 2019 planners report with the addition of an interim use permit for the tank field. Ayes: Brempell, Hudson, and Anderson. Nays: Buhrmann and Klecker. Absent. Hailing. MOTION DECLARED CARRIED 4. OTHER BUSINESS ■ None. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 7 Regular Meeting of August 13, 2019 5. AJOURNMENT Motioned by Hudson, seconded by Anderson, to adjourn the meeting at B.12p.m. Ayes: Buhrmann, Brempell, Klecker, Hudson, and Anderson. Nays: None. Absent. Hailing. MOTION DECLARED CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, aeg M. Becker, Building Permit Technician Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 8 Regular Meeting of August 13, 2019