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Approved: CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017 6:30 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL PLANNING CASES C. Planning Case 17-015; 1761 Lake Johanna Boulevard (Tony Schmidt Regional Park) Conditional Use Permit – Public Hearing Senior Planner Bachler stated the City of Arden Hills first began collecting grass clippings, leaves, and garden waste at Tony Schmidt Regional Park in 1984 through an agreement with Ramsey County. The County Public Health Department took over management of the site in 1990. In 2004, the County Board approved the expansion of collection services to include trees and shrubs. The composting of yard waste collected at the Arden Hills site is completed off-site and finished compost is made available to County residents each spring. Between 2011 and 2015, the average number of annual visits to the Arden Hills site was 51,110. Senior Planner Bachler explained in 2013, the Ramsey County Board authorized the addition of Source Separated Organics (SSO) collection at all seven of the County’s yard waste sites, including the Arden Hills site. SSO materials include food waste and non-recyclable paper. The purpose of providing SSO collection is to help County residents divert organic materials from the waste stream and put this material to a productive use as a compost product. Senior Planner Bachler reported Ramsey County submitted a Conditional Use Permit application in 2014 for SSO collection at the Arden Hills yard waste site (Planning Case 14-008). The application was denied at that time due to concerns that the service would affect the use of the park and neighboring properties by increasing odors, litter, and traffic, and attracting unwanted wildlife. Ramsey County has since implemented SSO collection at the six other yard waste sites in the County. Senior Planner Bachler indicated at the City Council Work Session on May 15, 2017, Ramsey County Environmental Health staff presented collection data and observations from the first three years of SSO collection (2014-2016) at the six County yard waste sites (Attachment B). Participation in the program has increased steadily from approximately 24,000 total site visits in 2014 to nearly 52,000 visits in 2016. Ramsey County reported there have been no issues with odor, vermin, or increased traffic associated with SSO collection at the other sites. Based on the discussion, the City Council recommended that Ramsey County reapply for a CUP for SSO collection at the Arden Hills site.