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Planning Commission MeetingPage 10 of 12 at the University of Chicago and genetic crop testing being done at that time, and the due diligence then and more advanced technologies available today of benefit to the Roseville community. Based on remediation comments, Chair Boguszewski questioned the applicant on their projections or estimates at this time for potential contamination levels existing on these parcels. Mr. Haun advised that they had just received the Phase II study within the last few days, and noted the City Council had held discussions and allotted funds already and hired a Brownfields consultant to assist with those mitigation efforts. Mr. Haun noted there was a lot of blacktop and oil, but nothing indicating it would preclude them from moving forward or mitigation required outside what was anticipated from that past use. Given that the Conditional Use applies to the land, should mitigation costs subsequently be found to be beyond the applicants ability to move forward, Chair Boguszewski asked what happened ? with the Conditional Use situation. Mr. Paschke advised that many things still needed to occur to proceed, including mitigating soil contamination under the direction of the Brownfield consultant; but was confident the property would redevelop, whether for this use or another use. Tom LaSalle noted that the intent was to move forward quickly, since this client wanted to purchase the property yet this year and get in the ground by February of 2016. Mr. LaSalle assured the Commission that this request was not speculative in nature, but was a serious intent to get the sale accomplished. Mr. LaSalle questioned why any other potential purchase would have an interest in having a Conditional Use for outdoor research plots. Regarding the Brownfields cleanup, Member Murphy asked if done to the north it was well ?? bounded, but to the east of the research plot, was there any concern or potential that the south property would not be cleaned up, even though not part of this property purchase, could some contaminant still leach to the north. Mr. Haun stated that while it may be a concern, tests todate indicate no leaching. Mr. Haun stated ? that, given the previous use of the property, expected contaminants were petroleumbased, with ? no other unusual indications seen on reports received todate (e.g. no underground tanks, plumes, ? or water tables moving). Mr. Haun advised that, under a worst case scenario, their firm would choose not to use the research plots on the west side, noting that the most contaminated areas are to the far east. Mr. Paschke advised that any of those issues would be addressed by the Citys Brownfields ? consultant to ensure no future problems occurred. Member Murphy commended the applicant for their creative use of this property next to parkland, which was unique, and wished them well in their efforts. Member Cunningham expressed her personal concerns as a nearby homeowner and with anything agriculture due to potential pesticide use, and asked that the applicant provide a better understanding of how those things would be regulated (e.g. air quality). Living on the other side of Langton Lakes, Member Cunningham admitted this use made her nervous, as well as new research indicating the demise in bees due to pesticide use, noting her concerns were also probably shared by other neighbors or Roseville residents. Mr. Haun advised that their firm shared air quality and other concerns related to insecticide and pesticide use; and wanted to use chemicals only if and when needed. Mr. Haun reiterated his previous comments related to the limited use and quantity of those chemicals similar to a typical household; and only intended for application for insect infestations in a targeted fashion, not as would be typical for an average farm operation. Mr. Haun stated that their preference would be to never use pesticides; and clarified that they werent seeking to maximize their crop yield by such a ? chemical application, since these were only test plots for research and development of seeds and plants. Specific to bees, Mr. Haun advised that bees were not problematic for them, and if any were inadvertently or accidently targeted, it would only be a small area and a small number of bees impacted. Referencing the applicants narrative, Member Cunningham noted their projected expanded ? employee base, and asked if that would be in Phase I or a combined total for Phases I and II. file:///R:/CommDev/PLANNING_AND_ZONING/PLANNING_COMMISSION/Minutes/...4/11/2016