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NB resident brings smelly issue to city |
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By MaryHelen Swanson
Folks living north of downtown North Branch may or may not want to join resident John Heimer in trying to work out something with the Zinpro company.
On certain days, when the wind blows just right, there’s something in the air that is offending at least one citizen.
For Heimer, who was at the North Branch City Council meeting Monday night, it is a terrible odor and he is tired of it.
He was told, however, that Zinpro, operating in what used to be a peat plant, has all the proper permits and is operating within guidelines of the city’s industrial zone.
Zinpro’s operations manager John Morrison, explained how the company, which makes mineral feed ingredients for animal feed, has gone over and above what is required by installing thermal oxidizers. That odor control equipment was put in about 10 years ago when Zinpro took over the building.
He said it costs $50,000 a month to control odors. But he also said he is willing to look at other controls.
Mayor Gloria Karsky felt that the best way to solve the issue was to have Heimer and any other resident who objects to the odor, meet with the Zinpro folks.
She asked City Administrator Bridgitte Konrad if she had any ideas.
Konrad said the first thing would be to check and see if MPCA regulations are followed, as she believed they are. She had no idea where else to go.
Karsky suggested checking with Cambridge, which had an odor issue with the company SunOpta and apparently worked something out with the neighbors.
Heimer wanted to know if could put an ad in the paper to call together others who might be bothered by the odor.
When he was finished speaking at the public comment period, he and two men from Zinpro discussed the problem in the hall outside the council chambers.
Moving forward with ESSBY projects
The council addressed a number of issues as they attempt to move the ESSBY project forward, especially the housing portion. ESSBY is a development owned by the city that includes light industrial, commercial and residential segments.
Not every motion on every issues was unanimous, but they were passed.
On the zoning change, the council moved 4-1 to change the ESSBY site from I2, General Industrial to I4.
According to City Planning Director Al Cottingham, the change is primarily in the type of building allowed. It does not change the building size requirement. Councilman Larry Erickson opposed.
After lengthy discussion, the council moved 4-1 to approve an amendment to the city’s Land Use Guide Plan.
The city is working with Prairie Partners Venture, Inc., who are local developers interested in the residential portion of ESSBY. Some changes included in the amendment were: to increase the number of dwelling units to 420, from 360, a figure that the council had decided upon two years ago, and that the 11-acre parcel along the freeway south of 400th St. be known as “city-owned” property and not “open space.”
Councilor Furman who suggested sending the amendment back to the planning commission since there were many significant changes, was opposed to the motion.
A second motion to change zones in the residential areas, mostly increasing density, passed 4-1, with Furman opposed. She commented that at a town meeting some 300 city residents expressed their opinions about the development and she said “we go ahead and do what we want anyway.”
A third resolution approving the concept plan as submitted by Prairie Partners for property west of County Road 30 and north and south of 400th was adopted.
Working with the city, Prairie Partners is proposing 55 single-family lots, 161 townhome units and 144 apartment units.
This resolution came with eight conditions including that a 200-ft. buffer area, a “no build,” be located north of Aztec Trail.
Cottingham made note of the fact that a concept plan, such as presented by Prairie Partners, is not required by the city.
When there was concern about the addition of 60 extra units ( 3360 to 420) he suggested that when the developers come back with a preliminary plat, there should be a designation where the additional 60 units are going.
Furman asked if consideration could be made for some lots for Habitat for Humanity.
Konrad asked if the developers if they were willing to consider this.
Steve Mork, one of the Prairie Partner developers, nodded yes.
Mork then spoke, saying what they were doing is a partnership with the city, and that they’re going to make it work for everybody. He said they do not want to “ram” this through, but they want the best for everyone.
City Attorney Tom Miller reminded the councilors that in order to bond for the project, it has to be a big project, not just the proposed Duffy project of affordable townhomes.
He expects the project to change many times over the next 10-20 years.
It was also noted that the development would be done in phases and each phase would be scrutinized by the council.
The motion adopting the concept plan, passed unanimously.
In other business, the council:
• Authorized the mayor and city clerk to sign agreements with MnDOT for the federally funded projects of Safe Routes to School and TH 95 bridge improvements.
A notation was made that the city is still waiting for President Bush to sign the bill providing the transportation funds for the city’s bridge project.
• Awarded the cracksealing project to Fahrner Asphalt Sealers.
• Accepted the quote of $40,487 from Automatic Systems for a lift station alarm system for the 11 lift stations in the city.
• Accepted the low quote of Dust Coating, Inc., for chloride/dust control at 70 cents/gallon.
• Awarded the 2008 Equipment Certificate bid to Community Bank of Isanti in the amount of $204,000.
• Acknowledged that the wastewater staff has received an award from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for exemplary effort in 2007.
• Considered upcoming agendas including work sessions. At the May 15 session the council will address the 2009 budget, finance department staffing (accountant Tracy Gann resigned to take another job), city signs and hear an ESSBY update. At the June 5 work session, the council will address ESSBY housing, a festival ordinance, a predatory offender policy and the Open Meeting Law.
The next city council meeting will be Tuesday, May 27 due to the Memorial Day holiday.
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