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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[02] May Minutes May 12, 2015 Page 1 of 3 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof the Joint Planning Board for the Township and City of St. Joseph met in special session on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Chair Rick Schultz. Members Jeff Janssen, Mike Koltes, Steve Olson, Brenda Stanger, Mark Thompson. Secretary of the Board Judy Weyrens. Others Present: Ann Reischl, Kevin Cox, Donna Donavon, Karen Bechtold, Marsha Parlow, Dale Aukee, Bob Sis, Chris Sis, Ralph Eiynck, Hal Undersander, Jerome Salzer Approve Minutes: Schultz made a motion to approve the minutes of March 19, 2015; seconded by Janssen and passed unanimously by those present. Public Hearing, Conditional Use-Great River Energy: Schultz opened the public hearing to which Weyrens stated the purpose of the hearing is to consider a conditional use permit to construct approximately two miles of new 115 kilovolt transmission lines in St. Joseph Township. The request for conditional use is in accordance with Section 4.8 and 7.11 of the Stearns County Land Use and Zoning Ordinance. The project also includes modifications to the Quarry and West St. Cloud substations including expanding the fence of the West St. Cloud substation 73 feet south. The request for the conditional use permit has been submitted by Great River Energy, Maple Grove, MN. Dale Aukee, Great River Energy spoke on behalf of the project. Aukee stated that Great River Energy is a wholesale provider to Stearns Electric Association and they are proposing to construct enhancements to the transmission lines in Stearns County. The proposed project will strengthen the area's electric transmission system, improve reliability and guard against overloading and voltage collapse in the Greater St. Cloud Area. Aukee further stated that the existing transmission system is at risk during an unexpected outage or scheduled maintenance. If an additional outage occurs the area's electric demand cannot be sustained. This situation could potentially produce blackouts both locally and in a wider geographical area as far as Little Falls and Long Prairie. Completion of this project will minimize operational concerns during an outage. The proposed two mile two mile route will exit on the west side of the Quarry Substation replacing the existing 115k transmission line and turn north. It then bypasses the substation it currently serves, crossing the Sauk River and continues north along the section line to a point north of County Road 75. The route then turns east for a short distance and finally north into the West St. Cloud Substation. The Quarry Substation will required additional infrastructure and rerouting of the existing 115 kV lines into the substation. The West St. Cloud Substation's south fence line will be expanded by 75 feet for additional infrastructure and new transmission lines. With regard to the construction, Aukee stated it will consist of wood poles ranging in height from 80—95 feet above ground with a distance between poles of 400—500 feet. In wet areas, guy wires and anchors will be used to stabilize the poles. Some specialty poles may be required. The new transmission line will require a 120 foot wide right of way, 60 feet on each side of the centerline. Trees and vegetation in the right of way will be removed to provide a safe operation area. As no one else present wished to speak, Schultz closed the public hearing. Weyrens stated the Joint Planning Board is being asked to grant a conditional use permit to allow for the expansion of the infrastructure of Great River Energy. As Zoning Administrator, staff at Stearns County Environmental Services provided an overview of the project and items of concern for the Joint Planning Board. Comments included: 1) approval of the CUP would require the recording of easments; 2) Phase 1 Archeological survey should be completed within 500 feet of the Sauk River; 3) any tree clearing should be conducted between October 1 and March 30; 4) Prior to construction, a map should be provided for all pole locations; 5)As-builts must be provided to Stearns County Public Works; 6) Submission of an May 12, 2015 Page 2 of 3 erosion and sediment control plan; 7)Only one crossing of the Sauk River should be allowed; 8) all work must be completed within two years. When questioned about property values and location of the new lines, Aukee stated that Great Northern does not anticipate that new lines will affect property values and the new line will be parallel to the existing line. Stanger added that it is her understanding the line will be passing through what appears to be wetlands and does not seem to impact any existing housing. Stanger questioned what would prompt the alternate coming off of the quarry station. Aukee stated that after discussions with the affected property owner in that area, the alternate route was developed to minimize impact. Schultz asked if the line will affect the River's Bend Development to which Weyrens stated that it will have an impact on some of the lots. Chair Schultz reopened the public hearing as those presented wished to speak. Chris Sis, landowner spoke in opposition to the proposed location. Sis is concerned as he will now have power lines on both sides of his property. He questioned if there are any other alternate locations for the lines and whether or not they could be buried. Aukee stated the wetlands make it difficult to bury the proposed lines. Sis admitted he has no immediate use for the property right now, but it does not help the value or appeal of his land to have power lines on the east and west sides. Donna Donovan questioned the location of the lines and why they have not meet with the property owners. She expressed concern as to how the proposal will impact the property she owns as part of a trust. Aukee stated the transmission line will follow the existing property line to make the burdens shared and that will have the least amount of impact to the property owners affected. He further stated that he did on more than one occasion speak to a representative of the property trust for which she is part landowner. Schultz closed the public hearing at 7:15 PM for the final time as those present had no additional questions. Schultz questioned Aukee to explain what happens if the Board approves the CUP or conversely what happens if the Board denies the CUP. Aukee stated that if approval is granted by the County, Township, and City, they will sit down, discuss, and determine a value for the easement on the property. If the request is denied there are no other alternatives and there would be the continued risk of brown outs. Aukee added that during the design phase at least six alternatives were reviewed and they opted to propose a project that impacted the least amount of property owners. Schultz stated there will be affects to the property values, but is unsure what that value would be. Aukee added that the value will be a discussion point when negotiations are being made with the property owners for those easements. Janssen made a motion to grant a Conditional Use Permit as requested by Great River Energy two (2) miles of new 115 kilovolt(kV) transmission lines in St. Joseph Township with the following contingencies; seconded by Olson: 1. In reviewing the application for CUP and listening to testimony at the public hearing, the Joint Planning Board finds the following: a. The JPB acknowledges that the CUP may have an impact to property values along the corridor, specifically property that will have two parallel lines on their property. May 12, 2015 Page 3 of 3 It will be the responsibility of the applicant to compensate the property owners for such an impact. b. The CUP will not have an impact on health, safety or traffic generation in relation to the area and capability of the roads serving the area. c. The CUP will not have an impact to the general health, safety and welfare of the residents. d. The CUP will not have an impact to the existing public services and facilities nor will they overburden the service capacity. 2. The conditional use permit is subject to execution and recording of easements along the entire transmission line route. The applicant shall provide a legal description of the easements prior to recording the conditional use permit_ 3. A Phase I Archaeological survey shall be completed within 500 feet of the Sauk River crossing and submit it to the Department. 4. In an effort to provide protection for the Northern long-eared bat(Myotis septentrionalis), all tree clearing be conducted between October Is`and March 30"'outside of the species' summer roostseason. 5. Bird flight diverters be installed across the span of the riparian corridor, installed on the guide or top wire at 15' intervals. Due to the wide meander belt in the vicinity of the crossing, diverters shall be placed across 900' feet at the crossing. 6. Due to the amount of NWI wetlands, work must be done under frozen conditions when adverse impacts to wetlands are minimized. If that is not possible then the impact must be minimalized by the use of timber mats or other appropriate material to support heavy equipment. 7. Prior to construction,provide a map of the pole locations once they have been determined. 8. The City Engineer shall review the pole location as it relates to CSAH 75 to assure that the location of poles will not impact the City's ability to access to or reconstruction of the existing 12- inch sewerage forcemain that runs within(and parallel to)the CSAH 75 right of way on the north side. 9. The owner shall file,with the Stearns County Public Works Director as built drawings of the essential service facility as it traverses any County Road and obtain any necessary permits from the Public Works Department. 10. Submit an erosion and sediment control plan prior to starting construction. Use wildlife-friendly erosion control mesh wherever soil disturbance occurs. 11. The conditional use permit authorizes only one transmission line crossing of the Sauk River,in either the proposed or alternate location, as shown in the drawings submitted with the application. 12. Work on the transmission line shall commence within 2 years of conditional use permit approval. Other Matters: None. Adjourn: Janssen made a motion to adjourn at 7:24 PM; seconded by Schultz and passed unanimously by those present. Rick Schultz Judy Weyrens Joint Board Chair Joint Board Secretary This page intentionally left blank