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Nays: None Motion carried 5-0. 6(e) Planning File 3308: Midland Hills Country Club request for variances to allow an addition onto the existing pump house adjacent to Walsh Lake; property located at 2001 Fulham Street. Chair Rhody opened the hearing and requested City Planner Thomas Paschke to provide a verbal summary of the staff report dated May 9, 2001. Thomas Paschke explained the three variance requests for a 350 s.f. expansion of the irrigation pump house adjacent to Walsh Lake. He explained the non-conformities and building, water oriented structure size. The structure is set back more than 12 feet from the shoreline. Variance requests are also made to paint the concrete block walls. Walsh Lake has no direct single-family area adjacent to it. The existing pump system must remain in place while the new system is built in an addition to the pump building. The DNR has responded that they would support the variance for building size. He explained the difference in Code language regarding a residential water oriented structure vs. a utility pump house. Thomas Paschke explained the justification for variances and the lack of reasonable alternatives for the building. He also noted the staff recommended two requests, recommended denial of the variance for rock face block exterior wall. Member Mulder asked how much of the new building will be used for pump equipment and how much will be used for storage. What alternatives were considered? Could a new building be built separately, then the old building torn down? Could the system be shut down and rebuilt in the fall? (Yes) Jeff Hartman, Midland Hills contractor, explained that the existing buildings house wells, which support the level of water within the lake. The excavation in winter to install a wet well must be done in warm weather. The new equipment would require demolition of the existing building if the equipment had to be placed on the existing slab. Member Cunningham asked for details of the condition of existing equipment. Mr. Hartman explained the new hi-tech electronic, variable speed pumping system to match a new irrigation system in the future. A new system conserves and controls water use. If approved, it would take one and one-half months, and could have problems in late fall. Member Olson asked if the wells would be capped? (No) Are the chemicals, the lake, and the wells in conflict - is there a pollution issue or potential? (The building will be designed to be a containment area for spills; there will be 1000 gallons of chemical treatment stored at a time - for use in injection into the watering system. Member Wilke asked if a new separate building were built, would you need new wells? (Possibly) Does the DNR monitor water usage from the lake? (Yes, it must be reported) Member Cunningham asked why not draw directly from the wells to the irrigation system (Not enough capacity). Chair Rhody asked if 250 s.f. size could be built for this equipment? By joining the buildings, a need for a variance is created. (It should be tied together aesthetically). Thomas Paschke explained the non-conforming nature of the existing building. While there is extra room it allows space between equipment and storage to work within the building. Would a variance still be needed for two separate buildings (Yes). Member Olson stated she was more comfortable with connection of buildings because it reduces spill potential. Member Wilke said aesthetically one roof made more sense. David Durhman, Lauderdale, asked if chemicals in the water would increase or decrease runoff into Walsh Lake. Scott Austin, Midland Hills, said the fertilizer will be liquid, and the sprinkler heads will be directed to the area to be watered. DNR regulates the fertilizer used and requires licenses. There were no further comments; Chair Rhody closed the hearing. Chair Rhody said the building constraints of design, chemicals, well house return and containment area make the variance more appealing. Member Olson stated she preferred exterior rock face block matching as closely to the existing wall color. Member