Laserfiche WebLink
Regular Planning Commission Meeting <br />Minutes – Wednesday, June 4, 2014 <br />Page 13 <br />then an accepted use, as it would fit the definition in City C ode already for limited <br />609 <br />production and processing. <br />610 <br />Related to noise, Member Stellmach asked if there would be any increased noise due to <br />611 <br />more traffic coming into the property versus other uses on the site. <br />612 <br />In the long term, Mr. Lloyd opined that the traffic intensity from this proposed use would <br />613 <br />still be of significantly less intensity than its former and traditional use. However, since the <br />614 <br />property had been vacant for 1.5 years, Mr. Lloyd anticipated that neighbors may expect <br />615 <br />to hear some increased noise than during that interim period, but of lower volume or <br />616 <br />intensity than with the past use. <br />617 <br />At the request of Member Stellmach, Mr. Lloyd advised that there was no expectation <br />618 <br />that fabrication noises in forming ducts would escape the building to any great degree, <br />619 <br />but property performance standards of City Code would establish requirements for those <br />620 <br />external noises. Even if they were to be audible outside the building, Mr. Lloyd opined <br />621 <br />that they would not reach a nuisance level based on the intended use of the building. <br />622 <br />Mr. Paschke clarified that there would be no mechanical equipment used to make the <br />623 <br />component, but that it was done with brute labor for custom duct work, which the <br />624 <br />applicant could speak to later tonight. From the City’s perspective, Mr. Paschke stated <br />625 <br />that this use was a better use and more compatible to the adjacent area than the former <br />626 <br />business (Aramark) with hundreds of trucks on the site in previous years on a daily basis, <br />627 <br />and that traffic should subsequently be much less as well. <br />628 <br />Applicant Bonnie Vogel, Owner and CEO, Vogel Sheetmetal, Inc., 10684 Lansing <br />629 <br />Avenue N, Stillwater, MN 55082 <br />630 <br />Specific to traffic, Ms. Vogel advised that the main focus would be from the contractor, as <br />631 <br />fabrication is supplemental and an asset to the company to service accounts. Ms. Vogel <br />632 <br />advised that they could make some limited ductwork, but not major components. <br />633 <br />Regarding vehicles on site, Ms. Vogel advised that their field staff typically took the <br />634 <br />vehicles home and drove directly to respective job sites; and the only trucks they have is <br />635 <br />a pick-up and a one-ton pickup with bed and gate. Ms. Vogel advised that they had one <br />636 <br />truck/trailer that was on the job sites 90% of the time unless reloading on their lot; but <br />637 <br />assured that traffic would be at a minimum. Ms. Vogel advised that their office employees <br />638 <br />were currently at seven, but they hoped to double that number in the future with their <br />639 <br />proposed expansion. <br />640 <br />At the request of Member Boguszewski, Ms. Vogel clarified that their operation was not <br />641 <br />noise generating, and mostly consisted of one shop person at this time doing custom <br />642 <br />cabinet handwork of ductwork and placing them on pulleys; with a sheer and press brake <br />643 <br />and laser cutting table part of their equipment and machinery, but no giant stampers. <br />644 <br />At the request of Member Stellmach, Ms. Vogel advised that their proposed expansion <br />645 <br />was focused around becoming a full mechanical provided, as they were not limited to <br />646 <br />sheet metal and HVAC, while most general contractors in the commercial realm were <br />647 <br />looking for a mechanical contractor, which was currently a disadvantage to their <br />648 <br />operation. Ms. Vogel advised that they just had a new hire to oversee their hiring division <br />649 <br />to facilitate construction and contracting to use their proposed location for staging and to <br />650 <br />attract more employees from a broader range and larger mechanical companies. <br />651 <br />At the request of Member Daire, Ms. Vogel advised that they anticipated no outdoor <br />652 <br />storage, as the typical equipment they worked on would be like a ten ton roof top <br />653 <br />equipment to units about ¼ the size of this room, with the majority of those items going <br />654 <br />out to the field. While increasing the size of the facility, Ms. Vogel did not find any issues <br />655 <br />in being able to store inside whatever was necessary with the only outdoor involvement <br />656 <br />when loading a semi-trailer between jobs. At the request of Member Daire, Ms. Vogel <br />657 <br />confirmed that the operation was mostly a pass through supplier for HVAC units, not as a <br />658 <br />full mechanical contractor; and delivered to the job site and only requiring a short stop at <br />659 <br />this site. For the most part, Ms. Vogel advised that the only storage at their site would be <br />660 <br />in the case of equipment staging delays for larger projects, or a scheduling issue on the <br />661 <br /> <br />