09-07-2005 Planning Commission Minutes - Special Meeting

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The water table was questioned. Applicant stated they plan to only dig approximately 12 to 15 feet. They augured 20 to 25 feet and the auger was dry. Staff recommendations stated that slopes surrounding excavation area be restored to 25%. The Restoration Plan indicates restoration at 3:1 and should be changed to 4:1. The City Engineer has not been contacted to make recommendation on an acceptable bond. After discussion,the Planning Commission decided that $50,000 bond was acceptable. Condition#6 should be changed to add"truck traffic"and "operation hours from 7 A.M. to 7 P.M." Applicants stated that they have a backup alarm strobe light that is OSHA approved. Staff was directed to inspect the site and have the Street Department inspect the road when completed before releasing bond. An Extraction Fee for future pits was discussed. Some areas call it a"gravel tax" and is generally 6 to 7 cents per yard,truck volume. Staff was directed to forward this to the City Council at their next meeting. The funds should be targeted for road improvement projects or dirt hauled to our roads needing work in lieu of"tax". The loose gravel on County Road 16 was discussed. It was determined that this gravel was not falling off of trucks, but rather it tracked from Evenson Road during that improvement project. A motion was made by Mark Hallan, seconded by Roger Varilek,to approve the Conditional Use Permit for an Extractive Use, based on the following Findings of Fact: 1. The property meets the minimum lot, size, and use standards for the Agriculture zone, being 40 acres in size, more than 500 feet wide, and having ample space within the building envelope for the proposed operation. 2. The applicant has supplied the required information including a site plan and a completion plan, and has indicated that Wild Acres Road will serve as the primary haul route. 3. The applicant has proposed to excavate a 3.0 + portion of the property. This excavation area is more than 50 feet from all property lines. The edge of the proposed berm around the area to be excavated is 80 feet from the western property line at its closest point. 4. The proposed excavation area is more than 50 feet from the right-of-way of Wild Acres Road, being approximately 530 feet from the right-of-way. 5. The applicant has not indicated what type of fencing, if any, will be erected around the excavation site. The applicant has proposed to use vegetated berms and stockpiles as a means of screening of the excavation site and associated machinery. Special Planning Commission 2 September 7, 2005