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1996-06-25 Planning Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 25, 1996 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights P . lanning Commission was held on Tuesday, June 25, 1996, in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 7:33 o'clock p.m. The following members were present: Dwyer, Koll, Friel, Lorberbaum, Duggan and Tilsen. The following members were excused: Betlej. Also present were Public Works Director Jim Danielson, Planning Consultants Meg McMonigal and Theresa Greenfield, Administrative Intern Patrick Hollister, and Recording Secretary Carla Wirth. INTRODUCTION OF NEW PLANNERS MEG MCMONIGAL AND THERESA GREENFIELD Chair Dwyer introduced City Planners Meg McMonigal and Theresa Greenfield, reviewed their qualifications, and welcomed them to Mendota Heights. Chair Dwyer congratulated Commissioners Betlej and Lorberbaum for their work in this endeavor to hire a different consulting planner. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Duggan moved approval of the May 28, 1996 minutes with corrections. Commissioner Lorberbaum seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 ABSTAIN: 2 (Chair Dwyer and Commissioner Friel) Chair Dwyer explained that since Commissioner Friel works for a legal firm that does some work for NSP he has a conflict of interest and, thus, will not be participating in the discussion or decision of Case No. 96-18. Therefore, the Planning Commission will first consider Agenda Item 7, Verbal Review, following which Commissioner Friel will be excused from the meeting. VERBAL REVIEW: Public Works Director Danielson gave a brief review of recent Planning cases discussed by the City Council. Commissioner Friel was excused from the meeting at 7:42 p.m. CASE NO. 96-18: NORTHERN STATES POWER - CUP FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES, CUP FOR MINING Sheldon Silberman, NSP Engineer, was present along with NSP representatives Joe Mansur and Dave Callahan, to discuss NSP's request for a Conditional Use Permit for Essential Services and a Conditional Use Permit for Mining which would allow alterations to the existing utility substation off Dodd Road near the Mendakota Estates subdivision (2201 Dodd Road). Chair Dwyer reviewed the NSP request to upgrade the substation. Dave Callahan, NSP Senior Right -of -Way Agent, reviewed the specific details regarding the two types of voltage currently being used and their plan to upgrade to 115,000 volts, remove the 69kV transformer bank, and to add capacitor banks for stabilization. Mr. Callahan noted the perimeter of the substation is very close to property lines and explained their proposal to regrade and install a sheet piling retaining wall which will level the bottom of the substation. He advised they are trying to work from inside the substation but there may be some temporary work space needed on the park property. Also in an attempt to provide additional screening and due to the limited NSP property to the north, they propose some landscaping/screening on park property. Chair Dwyer questioned the status of the updated landscape plan. Mr. Callahan reviewed their meeting before the Parks and Recreation Commission and their recommendation to walk the site with Park Commissioner Stan Linnell to determine how to improve the landscape plan. NSP also held a landowner meeting at which two residents attended; one offered no input and just wanted more information and the other lives south of the substation and wants more landscaping done. Mr. Callahan noted NSP is not doing any work on the south side of the substation and it is currently screened with a 12 foot wall. Mr. Callahan explained that based on input from staff, Mr. Linnell, and residents, NSP. reworked the landscape plan and made revisions to enclose gaps and give the substation uniform screening around the perimeter. He explained that the revised 2 land * scape plan was just finished yesterday so he has no hard copies but could display an overhead for the Planning Commission's review. Commissioner Duggan questioned the ability to reduce the number of 75 foot poles from three to two. Mr. Callahan explained they propose three poles because they do not want to run the power lines over the substation due to safety and liability issues. He stated they considered a different type of pole structure to lower the profile to a horizontal profile which would reduce the height by 20 feet but is considered more "busy" in appearance because it has jumpers. Also, it is wider and requires additional tree clearing. After review of the two alternatives, the Parks and Recreation Commission believes the vertical poles are superior. In response to Chair Dwyer, Mr. Callahan advised that either type of pole will serve the needs of NSP. Commissioner Lorberbaum asked if NSP has considered the request for thinner poles. Mr. Callahan explained the poles have great tension from the lines so to eliminate the need for guide wires they could install steel pole which are bolted to a foundation. However, the tradeoff is the steel poles need to be engineered with some girth so they are dimensionally thicker at the base and taper as the height increases. Mr. Callahan displayed an overhead of the site plan and presented details regarding the proposed landscaping. He noted the additional landscaping proposed along the soccer field, the northeast and western edges, the their plan to remove approximately 760 cubic yards of fill from the northeast edge and relocate it to the northwest edge. Due to concern that Black Hills spruce trees would tower over the electrical lines, they suggest a row of arborvitaes be planted along the soccer field which will provide year-round screening. On western edge, they propose to extend the existing retaining wall and also plant trees to block the view of the substation: Mr. Callahan reiterated that this proposal is based on feedback received from the residents, staff, and Commission members. Mr. Callahan then displayed pictures of the types of poles, the first using cross arms in two locations making it wider and lower but with jumpers which added to a look of clutter. He advised Mr. Linnell indicated a preference for the original proposal for a taller pole without cross arms. Chair Dwyer asked who will maintain the trees. Mr. Callahan stated NSP will plant the trees and guarantee them for one year but after that, they will be maintained by the City since they are located on City park property. Commissioner Duggan inquired regarding drainage on the north side of the substation. Mr. Callahan reviewed the drainage alignment and location of the storm 3 sewer system. He advised the proposed plans have been reviewed to assure there will be no flooding concern. Commissioner Duggan asked if trees will be planted on the western side of the extended retaining wall or on the inside of the substation. Mr. Callahan explained the trees will be planted between the pedestrian path and substation on NSP property'so NSP will maintain those trees. The Planning Commission reviewed a landscape plan dated June 24, 1996. Chair Dwyer read the questions raised by Mayor Mertensotto to lower the profile and inquired whether the existing structure itself can be modified to also lower that profile. Mr. Callahan explained it is an older -style substation in appearance but not in function. He noted it has the character of a two-story house but the newer style substation has the character of a rambler which is lower in profile but has a larger footprint. Mr. Callahan estimated it would cost more than $1 million to change the existing profile and it would also require a larger footprint. Chair Dwyer. noted the Mayor's request that NSP notify the City any time they intend to modify the level of service provided by the substation. Mr. Callahan provided an explanation of the voltage and EMF levels, and resulting daily and seasonal fluctuation based on usage. He stated he has no objection to providing the City with this data. Chair Dwyer clarified the City is not as interested in daily or seasonal fluctuations as if the system is being upgraded to serve a newly developed area. Commissioner Tilsen commented on the noise level which should be reduced after modification due to removal of the 11 5/69kV transformer bank and erecting buffer walls. He inquired whether the noise will "bounce" off the buffer walls and create some amplification. Commissioner Tilsen asked if NSP is able to provide assurances this will not happen and inquired how a system of monitoring noise can be put into place to assure the level of noise is not greater than the current level. Mr. Callahan stated the City has adopted the MPCA guidelines for noise standards. He advised that NSP has conducted a sound level survey, displayed an overheard chart, and explained how the sound levels were monitored with the assistance of the MPCA. Mr. Callahan clarified this data includes monitoring of all noise (including noise from traffic, aircraft, etc.). He noted that at this time, the substation is within MPCA guidelines and once landscaping and buffering is completed, NSP anticipates it will remain within those guidelines. 11, Commissioner - Koll asked where the monitor was located during testing. Mr. Callahan informed monitoring was conduced at 12 sites including each residential property. Commissioner Duggan asked why monitoring on the east does not apply. Mr. Callahan explained the park is located on the east side and currently there are no noise standards for park property. It was noted that daytime testing was conducted on June 4th and 5th, and the night time testing was conducted on June 13th and 19th (all weekdays). Mr. Callahan stated NSP believes the noise levels will be reduced after the transformer bank is removed and the retaining wall extended. Commissioner Tilsen questioned the night time noise level on the west side when no other noise is present except the substation. Mr. Callahan advised the average reading for a one hour period was 50db.. Commissioner Tilsen asked if the low point on the graph identifies the noise level emitting from the substation alone. Mr. Callahan stated the low point is probably close to it but wind noise could be a -factor as well. Commissioner Lorberbaum requested clarification of notations on the map indicating a star, closed circle, and open circle. Mr. Callahan provided an explanation and noted the location of the readings. Commissioner Tilsen stated he is trying to determine the noise level emitting from the substation. He encouraged NSP to try to determine the direction of the wind during the test periods so they are able to demonstrate the noise level has not increased following modification. Commissioner Tilsen asked if NSP will guarantee those low levels (actual sound level the substation is emitting) will not increase at any of the same test locations following modification. Mr. Callahan noted these readings were certified by the MPCA but there is no way to determine the exact level emitting from the substation or to provide a guarantee regarding the noise level. Mr. Callahan stated NSP will abide by the MPCA standards. Sheldon Silberman, NSP Engineer, explained that as part of the sound measurements they also conducted frequency measurements and determined the substation frequency is usually 120 megahertz. He advised 40.5db is the primary sound put out by the transfer station and asserted this sound level will drop since one of the transformer will be removed. Mr. Silberman assured the Planning Commission the sound level will not increase and any "bouncing" will be negligible since it is such a low frequency sound. 5 Commissioner Duggan asked if the metal retaining wall will "bounce" sounds. He also questioned if ' extending the wooden wall will result in absorbing noise and, therefore, not increase the noise level. Mr. Silberman explained how sound diminishes over distance and asserted any "bounced" sound will be not perceivable. Chair Dwyer suggested that a condition be considered to require periodic sound level surveys and inquired regarding what. a meaningful test interval would be. Mr. Silberman suggested not monitoring until the project is completed, in mid-1997. Commissioner Duggan concurred with requesting readings once the project is completed and questioned options should the sound level be higher. Mr. Silberman explained there are a number of options such as a noise barrier around the transformer (which is quite costly), more extensive berming, or landscaping.. Mr. Silberman stated these would be options to consider if the noise level is found to exceed Ordinance and MPCA standards. Commissioner Koll requested an explanation = of "sheet, piling". -Mr. Callahan explained they are vertical sections of steel piling which are driven into the ground and interlocked. Commissioner Koll questioned whether the Planning Commission should consider restricted hours during construction. Mr. Callahan stated they spoke with staff who provided recommendations and NSP will tailor their work schedule to abide by those hours. Mr. Silberman advised they estimate a total of three weeks to complete the excavation and hauling for this project but anticipate the work may expand that limit. Stan Linnell, Parks and Recreation Commissioner, stated he reviewed the landscape plan and believes it is a'significant improvement to the original plan but only minimally what he would like to see. He stated his primary concern is to require that any trees which are damage or removed during construction be replaced. Mr. Linnell asked if the noise wall will be extended to the location of the existing trees. Mr. Callahan explained the 60 foot wall screens out the residential area and is very expensive to build. He noted comments were received indicating a preference * for trees as opposed to a longer wall so NSP proposes to plant additional trees to provide screening. With regard to damage of existing trees, Mr. Callahan noted the area where soil will be removed and advised that some of the smaller trees will be transplanted but if damaged, they will be replaced. Commissioner Duggan asked if the proposed arborvitaes on the east side should be moved to the north to enclose a gap in landscaping. Mr. Callahan explained that L -I because of the hill and sumac, the substation is not visible from the path on the northeast corner. Commissioner Duggan inquired regarding the fence which is to be located on top of the steel piling. M . r. Callahan explained the chain link fence will remain. Mr. -Linnell stated he would not support any reduction in the proposed plantings and raised the question . of short-term buffering of the sound wall from the residence to the west.. Frank Friedmann, 906 Mendakota Court, stated he lives to the west of the substation and believes the work by NSP has been very satisfactory. He stated NSP has attempted to look at the issues and address their concerns through the development of the proposed plan. Mr. Friedman extended his appreciation to NSP and stated he is satisfied with the plan as proposed by NSP and so are his neighbors, the Blacks. Commissioner Duggan moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Lorberbaum seconded the motion. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 Commissioner Lorberbaum moved to recommend that the City Council grant a Conditional Use Permit for essential services per section 7.3(2), a Conditional Use Permit for mining for the removal of 760 cubic yards of material, and a Variance for a six foot high fence with barbed wire conditioned upon the following: 1. Submission of thelandscape plan (dated June, 24, 1996) for each Councilmember which shows extension of the west wall 60 feet, planting trees between the path and substation, planting of arborvitaes on the east side, planting trees on the north side. 2. Compliance with said landscape plan (dated June 24, 1996). 3. Replacing any sod, landscaping,, trees, or shrubs which are damaged during construction. 4. Submittal of a hard copy of the slide identifying existing sound levels prior to the July 2, 1996, Council meeting. 5. Monitoring noise levels 30 days after completion of this project and presenting said monitoring results within 30 days of taking them. a 6. Presentation of options to remedy noise levels if it is determined they are higher after the project than currently exists today. 7. Entering into a working agreement with the City of Mendota Heights as to landscape maintenance of the park property. Commissioner Duggan seconded the motion. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 MOTION CARRIED. Chair Dwyer thanked NSP for their cooperation in working with staff and residents to address their concerns. Commissioner Duggan thanked Mr. Friedmann for attending the meeting tonight to extend his comments that he is satisfied with the revised plan. Commissioner Tilsen extended his appreciation to Parks and Recreation Commissioner Stan Linnell for his additional effort to address resident's concerns. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Planning Commission moved to adjourn its meeting at 8:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Carla Wirth Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial L-11