WRIGHT COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION Meeting of: October 26, 2017 M I N U T E S – (Informational) The Wright County Planning Commission met October 26, 2017 in the County Commissioners Board Room at the Wright County Government Center, Buffalo, Minnesota. Chairman, Dan Mo, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the following Commission members present: Mol, Dave Pederson, Charlie Borrell, Ken Felger, Dave Thompson and Dan Bravinder. Absent was Jan Thompson. Sean Riley, Planning & Zoning Administrator, represented the Planning & Zoning Office; Greg Kryzer, Assistant County Attorney; Special counsel, John Baker. ADVANCED DISPOSAL SERVICES ROLLING HILLS LANDFILL INC. LOCATION: 175 County Road 37 NE – That part of the NE ¼ and the NW ¼ lying south of County Road 37, except for 213-100-311301; also N ½ of SE 1/4, all in Section 31, Township 121, Range 25, Wright County, Minnesota. (Monticello Twp.) Part of Tax #213-100-312302 (133 acres) & all of Tax #213-100-314100 (80 acres) APPLICANT: MICHAEL NIEWIND Petitions to rezone approximately 213 acres from AG General Agricultural to I-1 General Industry as regulated in Section 155.028 & 155.055, Chapter 155, Title XV, Land Usage & Zoning of the Wright County Code of Ordinances. Present: Mike Niewind, General Manager; Bob Pfister, MN Gov’t Affairs/Marketing Manager; and Peder Larson, with the law firm of Larkin Hoffman Daly & Lindgren A. Riley displayed the location map, zoning and land use maps to show the property is zoned and designated AG General Agricultural. An air photo showing the existing landfill cell and tipping house and operation. A pictometry view showing a view point from the north looking south along CR 37, noted the main entrance to the existing land fill. Also, another view looking north toward the landfill property. The applicant’s power point presentation is on computer. B. Pfister – thanked the Commission – and introduced other representatives for the Company that were in the audience; Tim Curry, Regional Landfill Manager, Melissa Bach-Huber, V. President Assoc. & General Counsel; Ann Muro, Regional V. President, Mark Hubeller, V. President of Marketing & Communication; and Jim Smith, District Manager. He summarized the proposed project is to rezone 213 acres from AG to I-1 as outlined in red. 72 acres for landfilling to continue operation and extend the life of the landfill for customers, employees, vendors and good of Wright County. If rezoning is approved they would come back for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). The map of the area outlined proposing to rezone, pointed out the exception from the property that is the Wright County Compost Facility and the odd shape of the area to be rezoned is so they do not impact the wetlands. To the north there is much open space along CR 37. After meeting with the County, they collaboratively came up with this proposal for the outline of the 213 acres, which they feel is most advantageous and best way. Explained the differences from the previous application. This application does not seek permission for municipal solid waste (MSW), but just materials they are currently accepting. They are rezoning less, down from 323 acres to 213 acres with this request. This petition is just rezoning, would be back for Planning Commission Meeting of: October 26, 2017 MINUTES – (Informational) P a g e | 2 the Conditional Use Permit (CUP), if rezoning is approved. Addressed the I-1 zoning and Section 155.055 allows for sanitary landfills as a CUP agree the I-1 is the appropriate zone for sanitary landfills. He address the criteria for the proposal and why they think it is consistent as follows: 1) As it relates to existing development: The existing landfill is an I- 1 use; the County Compost Recycling Facility is an I-1 use; and this expansion is adjacent and consistent with the uses out there; 2) Encourage uses amenable to surrounding districts: On the closed landfill they are baling hay and 3500 bales been taken off since 2015. This shows it is compatible to surrounding area; 3) The road capacity would not be impaired: The EIS indicates that expansion will not impair road capacity. The County Highway Department stated the increase traffic is not a concern. This shows they meet all three intents for the I-1 zone. He addressed Northeast Quadrant (NEQ) goals that are most relevant to their project. 1) The most efficient economical use of public funds: This expansion will provide lower disposal costs for public projects paid for with public funds. This is efficient and they meet that goal; 2) Protect the environment and require development to take place in a manner that makes wise use of resources without degradation: The MN Pollution Control Agency (PCA) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) have confirmed there is no significant impact on natural resources; again they meet that NEQ goal; and 3) Strengthen Wright County economy by supporting local industry attracting quality jobs, enhancing tax base and bringing new capital to the region: They will be providing six full-time jobs that provides $300,000 of payroll in Wright County. Also, two million dollars of financial assurance fees into Monticello Twp. and Wright County. They increase local industry with these jobs and vendors who patronize locals businesses there by enhancing the economy of Wright County. Potential end use for expansion area when completed would be done with input from the community and be consistent with the Plan. Potential for a host fee agreement would provide funds to the community and not encumbered and could be used for anything. Purchase of the Compost Facility in an option, a community disposal day, reporting to the County to show what they are doing; offer regular County, Township public meetings to keep the public informed and enhance communication. Expand the Adopt the Highway program. The have listened to the community and their concerns by eliminating the MSW, significantly reduced the area to be rezoned; tried to address the misconceptions. Hel an open house with over 200 people in attendance and have put out additional information. Have offered property value protection plans and started talking to residents within one mile of the landfill. Also, they are continuing to work with the PCA on the mitigation for the closed portion of the landfill. Regards, to the last point they have representatives along tonight that can address any questions to the closed portion. The material has previously been submitted in their documents. Referring to the closed landfill, he noted they inherited is not relevant to the proposal before them. Thanked the Board for their time. C. Mol opened the hearing for public comment, limiting each speaker to three minutes. Kryzer stated at 1:14 this afternoon an email was received from the area hydrologist of MN DNR, Bedell. The applicant responded to that and copies are included in their files. If anyone in the public wants them read, they can do so. Scott Elfmann – 8566 – 5th St. Annandale –has a trucking company with 5 employees. Gave a history of the business that his Dad started in 2000 and has grown from one truck to 5 semi-truck and couple dump trucks. The company was recently contacted by Advanced Disposal to haul leachate to the St. Michael treatment plant. They run up to 16 loads a week. This is a good account for their business and haul every day for them. Ninety Planning Commission Meeting of: October 26, 2017 MINUTES – (Informational) P a g e | 3 percent of their work is in Wright County and their employees live in the County. They feel Advanced Disposal is a great company and will help their company grow. Jay Ryan Calva – resident of Big Lake and works for Beaudry Propane – he is representing local businesses, knows the character and what is good for the community. Applicant provides jobs and a family environment. Beaudry is a client of the applicant and they are a client of theirs. The Company is an excellent provider for services to them and helped with some of their needs. He can tell a lot about an organization on how they treat their employees and them. He supports the proposal and feels it is worthwhile. Greg Vetsch – grown a business through word of mouth, does a lot of residential remodeling and the County needs a place to get rid of their demolition and if County wants to grow they need a responsible place to get rid of these things. He feels people want to keep the County clean and use are resources wisely. Hopes the Commission will vote yes. Mike Goodale – life-time resident of Wright County – owns a demolition hauling business and has used the Advanced Disposal facility for 20 years. Felt since the applicant has taken over it is a more efficient facility. The further material has to be hauled adds more expense that gets billed back to the customer. There have been five landfills that have closed, although there is one in Becker he can use when he is out that direction. This business in town will be a benefit to other local businesses. It is a needed and respected facility. Mark Rise – make a slide presentation and asked for a few more minutes because he would be speaking for several people. Thanked the Commissioners for the tough job they do and have to make tough decisions. He feels this is an easy decision, same request same company, same land use plan, same objections. Maple Lake and Buffalo Townships still oppose the change and now Monticello has recommended denial. Advanced Disposal claims they only want demolition and they are asking for small acreage.