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Planning Commission Meeting <br />Minutes – Wednesday, August 04, 2010 <br />Page 16 <br />Mr. Grefenberg clarified that he had not meant to imply that a decision had <br />755 <br />already been made regarding the asphalt plant, but only meant to suggest that a <br />756 <br />more dynamic decision-making and public process was a good thing to consider. <br />757 <br />Mr. Grefenberg noted that his concerns tonight related to the Performance <br />758 <br />Standards in the proposed zoning code for Industrial uses was based on his <br />759 <br />lacking the benefit of an open house where he could address his questions and <br />760 <br />comments. <br />761 <br />Chair Doherty requested that the remaining questions and/or comments of Mr. <br />762 <br />Grefenberg be specific to the consideration of Chapter 1005, Employment District <br />763 <br />section of the proposed zoning code, and not specific to the asphalt plant. <br />764 <br />Mr. Grefenberg opined that none of the public would probably be here if not for <br />765 <br />the asphalt plant, and to ensure that the same mistakes are not repeated. <br />766 <br />Member Gottfried opined that he had received that message. <br />767 <br />Mr. Grefenberg offered to move to his next issue, as long as he was clear that <br />768 <br />the “y” in the column related to manufacturing and processing would be a <br />769 <br />conditional use. <br />770 <br />Mr. Paschke responded affirmatively provided they have outdoor storage <br />771 <br />requirements. <br />772 <br />Member Wozniak noted that one of the issues about the asphalt plant that <br />773 <br />concerned him when it came before the Commission, was that the only reason it <br />774 <br />came before the body for a public hearing and for a recommendation to the City <br />775 <br />Council was based on the request to store materials outdoors; and questioned if <br />776 <br />the proposed zoning code would allow more control over design of a <br />777 <br />manufacturing facility or whether history could repeat itself. <br />778 <br />Mr. Paschke responded affirmatively, as the plant was a permitted use under <br />779 <br />existing code. Mr. Paschke noted that an asphalt plant was not considered much <br />780 <br />differently than another type of industrial plant that was permitted by the MPCA, <br />781 <br />as a higher authority. Mr. Paschke advised that the question for consideration <br />782 <br />should be whether to require manufacturing and processing uses to go through a <br />783 <br />more formal process. Mr. Paschke noted that the proposed code was not <br />784 <br />currently seeking that, and was similar to the existing code allowing a number of <br />785 <br />permitted uses. Mr. Paschke noted that there were certain permitted uses that <br />786 <br />could do as much harm to the atmosphere and were therefore required to meet <br />787 <br />specific processes under the jurisdiction of the MPCA. Mr. Paschke asked that <br />788 <br />the Commission, if their recommendation was to prohibit specific uses or have <br />789 <br />them regulated through a more formal process such as a conditional use, make <br />790 <br />that recommendation clear at this time. <br />791 <br />Member Gottfried, adding to Member Wozniak’s comments, questioned when the <br />792 <br />Commission started addressing design standards in the next step of the <br />793 <br />ordinance process, would they then address such things as fumes, odors, lights, <br />794 <br />noise, vibrations, and provide sufficient guidance to address those concerns on a <br />795 <br />broader scale across more districts than just manufacturing. <br />796 <br />Mr. Paschke opined that it would; however, he noted that the code needed to be <br />797 <br />very specific and could not be broad in order to allow it to be regulated and <br />798 <br />enforced, and couldn’t be nebulous. Mr. Paschke noted that this was one of the <br />799 <br />problems with the current code, that it was to ambiguous in attempting to <br />800 <br />realistically enforce it, with advice from the City Council on whether provisions <br />801 <br />are enforceable. <br />802 <br />Member Gottfried sought an example such as a regulation for light pollution. <br />803 <br />Mr. Paschke advised that the current code is quite standard, in addressing the <br />804 <br />design and location of a light or sign; and opined that if you have a broad <br />805 <br /> <br />