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Planning Commission MeetingPage of 12
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<br />Mr. Lloyd advised that code parameters would address building lighting, even though it generally
<br />pertained to outdoor lighting, to the extent indoor lighting functioned similarly, cod provisions would
<br />come into play. However, with this property far removed from residential areas, Mr. Lloyd advised
<br />he didnt see it being problematic.
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<br />Member Bull questioned restrictions for equipment on city streets as well as storage offroad for
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<br />implements indoor or in a screened area.
<br />Mr. Lloyd advised that the recent Commercial Mixed Use (CMU)2 zoning designation did not allow
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<br />for outdoor storage of any machinery or equipment, and it would need to be enclosed inside a
<br />shed structure.
<br />At the request of Member Gitzen, Mr. Lloyd confirmed that the Conditional Use would be recorded
<br />against the property going forward, no matter who the property owner was. Mr. Lloyd clarified that
<br />a Purchase Agreement was pending at this time for the applicant and was being granted for the
<br />land, not specifically to PIK Terminal owners and if granted, the Conditional Use would remain with
<br />the land itself as recorded.
<br />Applicant Representatives: BJ Haun, 1478 Cumberland Street, St. Paul, MN; Greg LaSalle,
<br />5038 Emerson Avenue E, Minneapolis, MN; Tom LaSalle, 2001 Killebrew Drive, Minneapolis,
<br />MN; and Greg Smith, 3721 Glenhunt Avenue, St. Louis Park, MN
<br />Tom LaSalle provided a history of his involvement with major corporations to incubate companies
<br />in conjunction with efforts of the University of Minnesota; with Calyxt, Inc. being one of those
<br />success stories, having now grown to the point of building these headquarters.
<br />Specific to screening questions, Mr. Smith noted it was important to the applicant that people didnt
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<br />see the greenhouse or outdoor test plots for proprietary reasons. However, Mr. Smith clarified it
<br />was an overstatement to define this research and development effort in any way as farming,” and
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<br />advised that the equipment, while specialized for this particular application was not large and
<br />would be only slightly larger than that used by a typically homeowner for maintaining their lawns,
<br />and would be stored inside.
<br />BJ Haun, 1478 Cumberland Street, St. Paul, MN
<br />Mr. Haun introduced himself, and his credentials as a research scientist and graduate of the U of
<br />MN with degrees in plant biology and genetics, serving as Director of Product Development with
<br />Calyxt. Mr. Haun provided a more detailed description of their biotech company looking to grow
<br />with this new research facility. Mr. Haun assured the Commission and public they would not be
<br />doing intensive agricultural practices or producing crops that the level of typical farming operations,
<br />but simply using research plots for materials being developed and used in laboratories and
<br />greenhouses (e.g. seeds and plants). Mr. Haun further clarified that there would be no animals on
<br />site, nor would they use or purchase manure for application to the test plots; and noted the amount
<br />of chemicals and pesticides if and when used would not be anywhere near that used in an average
<br />agriculture setting, but would more akin to that applied for a typical household lawn or garden.
<br />Mr. Haun advised that their firm would screen the test plots, especially the greenhouses, to avoid
<br />attracting any attention with light, or for vandalism; noting that their equipment was expensive and
<br />valuable and therefore they wanted to protect it as much as possible. Mr. Haun further advised that
<br />the fields would be landscaped to look appealing and include a buffer between them and the
<br />street, and between the park and research plots to function as needed.
<br />Mr. Haun noted their firms ongoing consultation and cooperative work relationship with the U of
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<br />MN Research Station Manager, advising that Calyxt would use best practices to those used by the
<br />U of MN at their sites near Larpenteur and Fairview Avenues, and would abide by those same
<br />chemical application guidelines dictated and regulated for their use and as found on the individual
<br />products that may be applied periodically. Mr. Haun referenced the conditions followed by the U of
<br />MN for such applications under windy conditions, and the logs kept related to weather conditions
<br />on application days; advising Calyxt would follow those same procedures and documentation.
<br />Mr. Haun advised that this site was an unusual shape, but worked well for their plans and also tied
<br />into the Citys interest in protecting Langton Lake and Park. Mr. Haun noted that the north side of
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<br />the site would not be cultivated, and opined that moving this site from its existing use as a large
<br />parking lot and Brownfield site, provided benefit to the city, its residents, and their firm.
<br />Discussion
<br />Chair Boguszewski provided anecdotal comments based on his experience as an Undergraduate
<br />file:///R:/CommDev/PLANNING_AND_ZONING/PLANNING_COMMISSION/Minutes/...4/11/2016
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