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6. Site Plan for National Weather Service Forecaset Office
CITY O F PC DATE: May 19, 1993 6 \\ . CIIANHAS S ta ll CC DATE: June 14, 1993 ,1 CASE #: . SPR# 93-4 I 1 STAFF REPORT I PROPOSAL: Site Plan for the National Weather Service Forecast Office, Lot 1, Block 2 Chanhassen Business Center Ii Z LOCATION: Lot 1, Block 2 of the Chanhassen Business Center. West of Audubon Road 1 4 and Lake Susan Hills Subdivision and north of Bluff Creek Subdivision V 1 fl APPLICANT: John Kretchmar Wayne Perlenfein a- Chanhassen Venture, Ltd 403 Center Avenue, Suite 408 LLD 400 East Randolph, Suite 500 Moorhead, MN 1 Q Chicago, IL 60614 1 PRESENT ZONING: PUD -IOP, Planned Unit Development - Industrial Office Park. 1 rife 6y at Amtlfii I ACREAGE: 9.92 Acres Didorsed ►✓ .4. . ,, - DENSITY: Nodised Rejected 1 ADJACENT ZONING DBtP (v — 3, Dete submitted to Commiskii AND LAND USE: N - PUD -IOP Vacant I ig. S - RSF Bluff Creek Estates Subdivision Dete et`Su muted to CouiJ1 E - PUD- Residential Lake Susan Hills - i4 - == W - PUD -IOP Office WATER AND SEWER: Available to the site W I I. PHYSICAL CHARACTER: The subject site is located in the Chanhassen Business Center. This site is vacant and is most recently cultivated fields. The site drops in elevation from Audubon Road to the West. 1 • 2000 LAND USE PLAN: Industrial Office Park 1 2:1:� ,, a% t , rim, :t�.-t .- ' = 11 ' r ;v0PN. �i �� .ice _ -... �G "r - :: =� 1 :�. V V . _y am �� � L' O � `- :_�` t . �" :� 1=1. g� :: 1i[:.0�7 E` I 1 an !'!i�'� 4.....- �: � A► J ` /i. - :.-_ u!a G [!ld '. f 1 � , , �� Ne // •• 1. l �� 149 ■� �bo, oo ..� MII• i t... ,\ s . 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W ipli v ., '' \ glil 4111 1 t \ ` r4,, . it iv \ W Nha III gari, lir Millti \\,. - ii) , pur,,41.1 .-„, 6/ ,y. 3 . j 4216v _ __,---40%.„‘ .: , 1 ooCZ 8 " � li r.� o 0 \Foos, ® ' ° j �\\ _ ��� -oo■z o � a ootz J ( / /// 0011 2 u Z op 1 r ;\ r I ' n 00, C / : I w • t �. I oocc 1. y 4r x ��; 1 Cure 1 IV n N .. _ f National Weather Service May 19, 1993 Page 2 1 PROPOSAL /SUMMARY The National Weather Service (NWS) is seeking site plan approval for a single story office building. The building will include three forecasting offices; Weather Forecasting Office (WFO), River Forecasting Office (RFO), and the National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center (NOHRSC). Approximately 50 employees will operate out of this facility when it is completely operational. The office building is 17,500 square feet and has two other components; an upper air inflation building and a NEXRAD radar. The inflation building, which is 36 feet high, will be used to launch weather balloons. The radar will be used in forecasting weather. 1 This proposed building is located within the Chanhassen Business Center (CBC). This lot is located in the southeast corner of the CBC. The CBC does not have a recorded PUD and development contract. Staff is working simultaneously with the developer of the CBC and the NWS to coordinate grading and site preparation. Staff will be authorizing a grading only permit at the June 14, 1993, City Council meeting. The NWS is proceeding with the 1 understanding that until a recorded PUD and development contract are in place, no building permits will be issued. Numerous concerns from surrounding residents were raised regarding health issues. The NWS has met with the neighborhood at a meeting in April to specifically address these concerns. Staff is confident that all concerns have been addressed. Staff feels that except 1 for the landscaping, which needs to be increased, the site plan is well conceived. This is a 10 acre site that has only 2 acres of development and the remainder of the site will be open space. In addition, the topography allows for the building to be set several feet below the street grade of Audubon Road. BACKGROUND Ryan Construction Company recently gained final approval for 94 acres for an office /industrial park. The City initiated review of the project in September of 1991. The development standards for the Chanhassen Business Park, as well as the final plat, were approved in February 1993. Two lots were approved with the final plat; one lot for the proposed use by the National Weather Service and the other lot for a Jehovah Witness Church. To date, the development contract and the PUD agreement have not been recorded. The final plat was contingent upon approval of the street and utility construction plans and specifications and the developer entering into a development contract with the City. Preliminary construction plans for the CBC have been reviewed by staff with some concerns regarding sewer, grading, and drainage. Grading and site preparation will only be allowed for the Weather Service after the underlying PUD and development contract have been recorded. Surety will be in place for the grading of both sites. 1 •� National Weather Service May 19, 1993 ' Page 3 As a part of the approval of the CBC, a 50 -foot landscaping buffer was required along Audubon Road and a 100 -foot buffer along the southern property line abutting the Buff Creek t Estates Subdivision. A loop trail was also required. This trail will tie into the Stone Creek subdivision to the northwest. The landscaping buffer strip was required to provide a buffer between the office /industrial park and the surrounding residential uses. This landscaped area ' was proposed to be bermed and landscaped as a part of the cohesive elements of the entire CBC PUD. ' Since the earliest reviews of the CBC, the National Weather Service was shown as one of the proposed tenants for the site. Staff has always supported this use for several reasons. ' The site is almost 10 acres in size, while the building and parking will occupy only 2 acres, with the balance of the site being open space. The building is a single story. This building has a very low profile and will be several feet below grade at Audubon Road. The size of ' the building makes the intensity of the site very low. There will be no noise associated with the site or truck traffic. These factors make for a good use next to the neighboring residential subdivisions. Specific development standards were approved for the CBC PUD. In addition to the standards of the PUD zone, the standards for individual sites in the Business Center shall be as follows: 1. Building materials and designs shall be: ' a. All materials shall be of high quality and durable. Masonry material shall be used. Color shall be introduced through colored block or 1 panels and not painted block. b. Brick may be used and must be approved to assure uniformity. ' c. Block shall have a weathered face or be P olished, fluted, or broken face. ' d. Concrete may be poured in place, tilt -up or pre -cast, and shall be finished in stone, textured, or coated. ' e. Metal siding will not be approved except as support material to one of the above materials, or curtain wall on office components, or as trim, or ' as HVAC screen. f. All accessory structures shall be designed to be compatible with the ' primary structure. 1 �s National Weather Service May 19, 1993 Page 4 1 g. All roof - mounted equipment shall be screened by walls of compatible appearing material. Wood screen fences are prohibited. All exterior process machinery, tanks, etc., are to be fully screened by compatible materials. h. Large unadorned walls shall be prohibited. All walls shall be given added architectural interest through building design or appropriate landscaping. 1 i. Space for recycling shall be provided in the interior of all principal structures for all developments in the Business Center. 1 2. All freestanding signs be limited to monument signs. The sign shall not exceed eighty (80) square feet in sign display area nor be greater than eight (8) feet in height. a. Each property shall be allowed one monument sign located near the ' driveway into the private site. b. All signs require a separate permit. 1 3. The signage will have consistency throughout the development. A common theme will be introduced at the development's entrance monument and will be used throughout. a. Consistency in signage shall relate to color, size, materials, and heights. b. The applicant shall provide staff with an acceptable sign package for incorporation into the PUD agreement (with the development of Phase I). 4. The street lights should be designed consistent with the existing lighting along , Audubon Road. a. A decorative, shoe box fixture (high pressure sodium vapor lamps) with a square ornamental pole shall be used throughout the development for area lighting. 1 b. Lighting equipment similar to what is mounted in the public street rights -of -way shall be used in the private areas. 1 1 National Weather Service May 19, 1993 1 Page 5 c. All light fixtures shall be shielded. Light level should be no more than ' 'fi candle at the property line. Street lighting is excluded from this requirement. 5. Each lot shall submit a separate landscaping plan as a part of site plan review. In addition, all site landscaping and screening shall adhere to the following: a. All open spaces and non - parking lot surfaces shall be landscaped, rockscaped, or covered with plantings and/or lawn material. 1 b. Storage of material outdoors is prohibited unless it has been approved under site plan review. All approved outdoor storage must be screened with masonry fences and/or landscaping. c. The master plan a lan for the CBC PUD shall be the design guide for all of the specific site landscape developments. Each lot must 1 present a landscape plan for approval with the site plan review process. ' d. Undulating or angular berms 3' to 4' in height, south of Lake Drive along Audubon Road shall be sodded at the conclusion of Phase I grading and utility construction. The required buffer landscaping may be installed incrementally, but it shall be required where it is deemed necessary to screen any proposed development. ' e. Loading areas shall be screened from public rights -of -way. Wing wall may be required where deemed appropriate. 1 The NWS site plan has been developed in compliance with these standards. GENERAL SITE PLAN /ARCHITECTURE 1 The NWS site plan has three main components; a single story office building and two support structures. The office building is 17,518 square feet; an Upper Air Inflation Building ' (approximately 498 s.f.) for the monitoring, forecasting, surveying, and reporting of general weather information, river levels, and national snow surveying. The other support structure, the NEXRAD Radar, will be located on the site in July of 1994, and not constructed in the first phase. The height of the NEXRAD radar will be 127 feet plus an additional 7 feet for a lighting rod. Based on the grade of the site, the height of the radar above Audubon Road will be 107 feet. By way of comparison, the cellular telephone tower constructed near Lyman 1 Boulevard at Galpin Boulevard a few years ago is 140 feet high. 1 1 National Weather Service 1 May 19, 1993 Page 6 1 The Upper Air Inflation Building is shown located on the southeast portion of the site plan. An access drive is shown from the entrance driveway to the Inflation Building. The building is brick 19 feet high with a 16' high dome on top. The dome will be 36 feet in diameter. The purpose of this building is to inflate hydrogen balloons 6 feet in height that will monitor general weather information. A 300 -foot clear zone is required to launch the balloons. The building housing the balloons consists of an air inflation room and hydrogen storage area. The balloons are removed from the building through a fiberglass overhead door located on the north side of the building. Balloons are normally launched twice a day. Access to the dome is via stairs located on the south side of the building. The Upper Air Inflation Building will be constructed of two types of bricks; smooth and split face. The storage portion of the building will have a standing seam metal roof. The color of the brick has not been identified. 1 Staff is recommending that the color be consistent with the NWS building which is tan and brown. The roof over the storage area of the building is standing seam metal and should be a similar color. The color of the dome should be white. The NEXRAD Radar will be located in the southwest portion of the site. The height of the tower is 127 feet with an additional 7 -foot lighting rod. The Radar itself is 34 feet high and has a diameter of 38 feet. It is housed at the top of a tower in a nearly spherical, mostly plastic enclosure (a radome) to protect it from wind, dirt and weather. The tower itself will be similar in size to a 150,000 gallon water tower. There will be stairs inside the tower framing structure to access to radar. There will be a chain fence around the base of the tower for security. Staff is recommending that the fence be green vinyl to blend into the landscaping. There are two other ancillary weather service instruments that will be located at the site- -one is an approximately 10 -foot high satellite tower and the other is a small building to house instruments. Both of these are located so that they will be screened from public view. The main building will include three forecasting offices; Weather Forecasting Office (WFO), 1 River Forecasting Office (RFO), and the National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center (NOHRSC). Approximately 50 employees will operate out of this facility when it is completely operational. The NEXRAD Radar will not be installed until July of 1994. The building is approximately 17,518 sq. ft. and is a single story building. The front of the building faces north, which is Lake Drive West. Access to the site is from Lake Drive West. There are two entrances to the building from this direction. The rear of the building faces to the south, so it can be seen from Audubon. Staff is recommending that the back of the building have the same facade treatment as the front of the building. The building itself has a brick face with a decorative 8" x 8" brick used predominately as an accent on the columns and bans. The color of the bricks have not been specified and staff is recommending 1 that tan and brown be used. All sides of the building are broken up with windows and 1 1 National Weather Service May 19, 1993 1 Page 7 columns. There is a soffit around the entire building that provides shade and provides passive solar screening. Over the main entrance on the front of the building is a hipped roof entrance canopy and ' over the other entrance is a parapet wall or a false front. The site plan shows roof top screening around the roof top equipment. Because the top of the building ranges from 3 to 14 feet below grade on Audubon Road, any roof top screening would not screen the roof top ' equipment views would be on top of the building. Staff is recommending instead of the roof top screening, that the hipped roof entrance canopy be placed over the two entrances and be aligned on the rear of the building to screen the roof top equipment. The proposed roof top ' equipment is low profile, 3 feet high. The color of the roof top equipment shall be the same as the roof itself to aid in blending or screening. ' There is some outdoor storage, including fuel tanks and a trash compactor, south of the building. All outdoor storage shall be screened with similar building material. The plan shows 36 parking stalls. The applicants have revised this to show 47 parking stalls in front of the building. Originally there were 31 stalls at this location, but this has been revised with double fronted parking. The parking standard for office buildings is 4.5 stalls per 1000 square feet, which would mean 80 stalls would be required. Because this site employs shift workers, there are generally 35 people in the building at a time. Although there are visitors to the site, 80 stalls is excessive. Under section 20 -1124 (1)(e), proof of parking may allow for reduction of the parking requirement by the city. Staff is recommending that the parking 1 provided on this site shall be 52 spaces as proposed by the applicant. This should provide sufficient employee and visitor parking. The building is setback 200 feet from Lake Drive West, 180 feet from the eastern property line, 160 feet from the western property line, and over 300 feet from the rear property. The parking lot is setback 90 feet from the front property line and 250 from the rear property line. The setbacks meet all the standards of the zone. LANDSCAPING Landscaping for the site is partially fulfilled by the CBC PUD, with the remaining being the responsibility of the individual tenant. The PUD plans call for a 100 -foot landscaped berm along with a trail along the southern property line. A 50 -foot landscaped berm was required along Audubon Road and street scape along Lake Drive West. This landscaping included ' Austrian Pins, Linden, Rose and Cherry shrubs, Potentilla, Black Hills Spruce, Norway Maple, Ash Maple, and Oak trees. The landscaping shown on the NWS site is minimal. The only additional landscaping is adjacent to the building, this including Green Spruce and 1 Junipers. The majority of the site will have a grass cover. 1 1 National Weather Service May 19, 1993 Page 8 1 Staff is recommending that additional landscaping be placed adjacent to the required streetscape and between the building/parking and Lake Drive West. The landscaping between Lake Drive and the NWS building should be a combination of deciduous and conifer trees, with some ornamental placed in a informal setting. Additional landscaping for the buffer strips should be deciduous trees including more Sugar Maples, Lindens, Marshall Ash; and conifers should include more Austrian Pines and Spruces. It appears that existing trees along the southern property line will be removed. Staff is recommending these trees remain. LIGHTING /SIGNAGE 1 Street lighting along Lake Drive West shall be installed by the PUD developer as a part of the PUD/Development contract with the CBC. The interior parking lot lighting proposed for the site is 6 shoebox fixture lights on a 26' straight square steel pole. Parking lot and building lighting is limited to security lighting during evening hours. There will be a light on the top of the NEXRAD Radar, but it will not be a strobe. All lighting is in compliance with the PUD standards for this development. There is a monument sign proposed for the site located adjacent to Lake Drive West and the entrance drive. The sign is 4' x 10' for a total of 40 square feet. The sign has a brick face with individual channel lettering and is architecturally compatible with the building. Staff 1 would recommend the brick color be the same as those used for the building. There are two wall signs over the entrances facing Lake Streit West. These signs are 11' x 12' . There is a logo 5' in diameter over each entrance door. All wall signs are not to exceed 15 percent of the total wall area. All signs proposed for this development, including design and size, are in compliance with the Development Standards for this PUD. No signs will be visible from 1 Audubon Road. RADAR ISSUES 1 Back in February, the Chanhassen Villager printer a article about the future NWS building. This article stirred a lot of public interest and even some concern. A flyer was circulated in the adjoining neighborhoods warning about the health dangers of the Weather Service Radar (see attached flyer). Staff received several calls from very concerned residents regarding the effects of the radar. Staff informed the NWS that a neighborhood meeting was appropriate to address these concerns. Notices, 186, were sent to adjoining property owners for a meeting held by the NWS on April 28, 1993. There were 29 people in attendance at this meeting. About half of the group were Chanhassen residents and the other half were employees of the NWS project. Potential health concerns about the NEXRAD Radar technology were addressed (see 1 attachments). The NEXRAD Radar will gather information about the location, intensity, and movement of severe weather, namely tornadoes; thunderstorms; heavy rain and snow; 1 National Weather Service May 19, 1993 Page 9 hurricanes and cyclones; hail; high winds; and intense turbulence. The radar is located so that it covers severe water areas, major waterways, offshore water flight routes, airports, and air bases. ' The radar requires no staff. The signal transmitted consists of short pulses formed in a narrow beam by the antenna. In normal surveillance operation, the antenna, and therefore the beam, moves continuously according to a prescribed scanning program. In all such programs, ' the antenna rotates continuously around its vertical axis (making a complete circle). At the same time, the elevation of the beam is held constant within the range from 0.5 degrees above the horizontal to a maximum of 19.5 degrees above horizontal. The beam may be changed at the end of each revolution. The radar detects the motion of weather as far as 145 miles, and the presence of weather as far as about 290 miles from the site. ' The NEXRAD radar radiates at a maximum power of 475 kilowatts (kW) or less. The pulse duration and repetition rate are chosen so that the average radiated power is 1 kW or less. The general public is exposed to electromatic radiation from other common sources around it. 1 Broadcast radio stations radiate at powers ranging from 1 to 50 kW in the AM frequency band of 535 -1605 kilohertz (k/Hz), and the FM frequency band of 88 -108 Mhz. Broadcast TV stations may radiate at powers from under 100 kW up to #MW at frequencies between 55 and 88 MHz and 174 and 890 MHz. Microwave ovens operate at 2450 MHz and 1 kW of power, but virtually all the energy is contained with in the oven. Cellular telephones radiate 1 -5 kW of power in frequency bands located between 825 and 890 MHz. ' At the neighborhood meeting, the experts from the NWS provided documentation as to the g g� P P 1 levels a radiation predicted. They stated that the NEXRAD radar threshold of hazard is 6,000 times lower than that identified by the occupation hazard threshold. It appeared that the residents' concerns with health hazards were addressed. 1 ACCESS ' The plans propose a permanent driveway access from proposed Lake Drive West and a temporary construction access from Audubon Road. The temporary access will be used during site grading and building construction only for approximately 60 to 90 days until Lake Drive West is constructed with the first lift of bituminous. Again, if CBC has not received approval of the construction plans for site improvements and record the plat with the County, this site will not have an acceptable access, and no building permits will be allowed. 1 UTILITIES 1 The plans propose connecting to a proposed sanitary sewer and water service from Lake Drive West. The developer has petitioned the City for a §429 improvement project where the City would install the public improvements in Lake Drive West, i.e. sanitary sewer, water, 1 1 National Weather Service 1 May 19, 1993 Page 10 storm sewer, etc., and assess the cost back to the benefitting roe owners. The City P P ri3' tY Council may consider the petition; however, staff will be recommending against the project at this time due to the heavy debt load created with the other City projects currently underway. In addition, typically in a development such as this where the project does not serve a city- wide benefit, such as installation of trunk utility improvements or a collector street, the developer would be responsible for the public utility and street installation within their development. The City has already installed a trunk sanitary sewer and water line along Audubon Road and trunk watermain along proposed Lake Drive West through this development in conjunction with the Upper Bluff Creek Trunk project. These trunk improvements will be assessed back to this development on both a lateral and trunk benefit. Assessments for the recently installed trunk sewer and water improvements will be spread accordingly over the newly created lots in CBC - Phase I. Two options are possible for providing sanitary sewer service to this lot. One would be if the developer installs the sanitary sewer in Lake Drive West, or the other would be for the building pad to be raised approximately four feet and a service extended from Audubon Road. Without the developer receiving City approval for construction plans and specifications for the public street and utility improvements and entering into a development contract for Phase I of CBC, this site plan review is premature. 1 EROSION CONTROL Erosion control fence is proposed along the west and northwest perimeter of the site. Both driveway access points propose temporary lock entrances to minimize transporting of sediments by runoff or vehicle tracking onto the paved streets. GRADING/DRAINAGE The site consists of rolling terrain and has been employed in the past as agricultural. The ' g P � entire site is proposed to be graded in conjunction with the overall site improvements proposed with the plat of CBC - Phase I. There is an existing tree stand or row along the southerly property line which is proposed to be partially removed with the site grading. Staff feels that the grades could and should be amended to preserve the existing tree row along the south property line. Staff anticipates that the final grading plan from CBC will differ slightly from this site grading plan. Some of the adjustments such as trail placement and building elevation may need to be revised accordingly. The building pad elevation could be raised approximately four feet to facilitate sanitary sewer service from Audubon Road as originally designed and requested in lieu of Lake Drive West as the plans propose. In addition, there currently is no sanitary sewer in Lake Drive West nor is the City intending on extending sewer service along 1 1 1 National Weather Service May 19, 1993 1 Page 11 this street at this time. It would be the developer's responsibility to extend the sanitary sewer from the recently installed Upper Bluff Creek interceptor from the west along Lake Drive West. The plans propose extending a storm sewer line from Lake Drive West which is proposed to be provided by the developer with Phase I improvements. The exact location of the storm sewer stub is undetermined at this time, but staff recommends that the storm sewer line follow the proposed driveway access and intercept runoff prior to discharging into Lake Drive West. Staff is unable to verify if the proper number of catch basins or pipe size is adequate on the site without site drainage calculations. Detailed storm sewer calculations for a 10 -year ' storm event should be submitted for staff to review and approve. This may result in requiring additional catch basins or realigning the proposed storm sewer system on the site. Erosion control fence is proposed along the west and northwest perimeter of the site. Both driveway access points propose temporary lock entrances to minimize transporting of sediments by runoff or vehicle tracking onto the paved streets. COMPLIANCE TABLE 1 Setbacks Building/ Parking Required Provided Front 50' Building and Parking 200' Building 90 'Parking Rear 150 'Building and Parking 300' Building 200 Parking 1 Side 10 feet 160' Building 100' Parking Parking 80 stalls 52* stalls 1 Impervious Surface 70 Percent 19 Percent 1 *Recommended parking waiver PLANNING COMMISSION UPDATE 1 On May 19, 1993, the Planning Commission held a public hearing for the site plan review for the National Weather Service. There was no public comment during the public hearing. I believe this was due to the fact that there was a neighborhood meeting that was held on April 28, 1993. The National Weather Service hosted this meeting and answered numerous questions. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the site plan for the ' National Weather Service with two additional conditions. A third issue was discussed, but was never formally put into a motion. This was that if any additional technology was added, they would have to go to the Planning Commission and City Council for approval. 1 National Weather Service I May 19, 1993 Page 12 1 The Planning Commission recommended that a third independent party review the health issues with the NEXRAD radar. Professor Marat Davidovitz from the Electrical Engineering I Department at the University of Minnesota reviewed the radio frequency characteristics of the NEXRAD system. His report is attached. His conclusion states that based on the available body of evidence and current scientific opinion, the radio frequency radiation exposure levels I resulting from normal operation of the NEXRAD system should not result in increased health risks to the general public in the surrounding communities. The second condition the Commission added was to consider raising the building 6 feet. I Utility services can be made to the building if it is raised, but the driveway grades will exceed 10 percent. Raising the grade of the site also raises the building 6 feet so that more 1 of it is visible. Staff is recommending that the grade be left as proposed by the applicant. RECOMMENDATION 1 Staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt the following motion: I "The City Council approves Site Plan #93-4 for the National Weather Service subject to the following conditions: 1. The final plat of CBC - Phase I shall be recorded with Carver County. 2. Detailed storm drainage calculations for a 10 -year storm event shall be submitted to 1 the City for review and approval. Depending on the storm sewer calculations, the City may require additional catch basins and/or pipe. ' 3. A revised site grading plan incorporating the final approved grading plan for CBC - Phase I, including the trail location through the site, shall be resubmitted to the City I for review and approval. 4. The proposed site grading along the south property line shall be revised to save the I existing stand of trees. 5. All landscaping materials, i.e. trees and shrubs, shall be planted outside the proposed I street right -of -way and not over any public utility lines, i.e. sanitary sewer lines and watermains. 6. The site lan shall be amended to show the additional right-of-way and drainage and I P g Y g utility easements that will be conveyed to the City with the final plat of CBC - Phase I (17 feet of right -of -way and 25 feet of drainage and utility easement). 1 1 1 1 National Weather Service May 19, 1993 I Page 13 7. The property owner will be responsible for its share of the pending Upper Bluff Creek I Trunk Sanitary Sewer and Water Improvement costs (Project No. 91 -17A). 8. Grading and site preparation will only be allowed for the Weather Service after the U underlying PUD and development contract have been recorded. Surety will be in place for the grading of both sites. I 9. The landscaping between Lake Drive and the NWS building should be a combination of deciduous and conifer trees, with some ornamental trees placed in a informal setting. Additional landscaping for the buffer strips should be deciduous trees I including more Sugar Maples, Lindens, Marshall Ash, and conifers should include more Austrian Pines and Spruces. I 10. Signs require a separate permit and shall be consistent as shown on the site plan dated April 16, 1993. I 11. Compliance with the conditions as stated in the memo from the Fire Marshal dated May 12, 1993. I 12. Compliance with the conditions in the memo from the Building Official dated May 10, 1993. I 13. The hipped roof entrance canopy shown over the main entrance shall be placed over the two front entrances. In addition, two hipped canopies shall be placed on the rear of the building to provide screening for the roof top equipment. I 14. Fencing around the NEXRAD Radar shall be green vinyl. The color of the brick I g �' Y (and the standing seam siding) on all of the buildings shall be brown and tan. 15. A waiver to the parking standards shall be given; 52 parking stalls shall be provided I based on the maximum number of employees as 50, with 36 people generally working at one time. If the number of employees changes, the parking will be re- evaluated and more parking may be required. 1 16. An independent third party shall review the health issues and report their findings to the City Council. 1 17. The grade of the NWS building should be reviewed by staff to see if less grading can occur so that the building could be raised six (6) feet. Staff is recommending 1 that the grade be left as proposed by the applicant. 1 1 National Weather Service May 19, 1993 Page 14 1 ATTACHMENTS 1. Report from Professor Marat Davidovitz dated June 8, 1993. 2. Flyer information. 3. NWS informational packet. 4. Letter from Dave Hempel date May 11, 1993. 5. Letter from Mark Littfin dated May 12, 1993. 6. Letter from Steve Kirchman dated May 10, 1993. 7. Site plan dated April 16, 1993. 8. Planning Commission minutes dated June 2, 1993. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 06 -08 -1993 14:13 612 625 4583 UoIM Electrical En9ineerin9 ,P.� -01 -tr 1 Marat Davidovitz ' 4501 W. Chatsworth Ct. Shoreview, MN 55126 1 June 8, 1993 Kathryn R. Aanenson 690 Coulter Drive ' P.U. Box 147 Chanhassen, MN 55317 Dear Ms Aanenson, Enclosed please find the report on the evaluation of the NEXRAD elec- tromagnetic characteristics. I have limited my task to the verification of the relevant data in the surveys you provided and assessment of po- tential health risks. I trust you will find the review satisfactory. Should additional questions ' arise, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you. • Sincerely, Marat Davidovitz end: Summary of Findings Itemized Bill 1 1 06 -08 -1993 14:13 612 625 4583 UofM Electrical En9ineerin9 P.02 1 1 1 Review of Radio Frequency Radiation Characteristics of the NEXRAD system. Statement of Work An independent review of the potential radiation hazards associated with the NEXRAD installation was undertaken. Verification of/the Ra- dio Frequency Radiation (RFR.) levels in the vicinity of the iadar site was performed on the basis of the technical specifications (radar input power, pulse duration and repetition rates, antenna properties, etc.) ' stated in the provided site assessment reports. Comparison of the RFR levels against existing national standards was made and latest iavailable scientific evidence was consulted to determine potential health risks. , Approach Basic antenna and radar system design equations were used to perform a rough, order -of- magnitude, verification of the NEXRAD RFR levels stated in the document entitled "Nexrad And Public Health ", pp. 10, A- 17 (Figure A.8). System parameters, such as maximum input power (475 1 kW), maximum duty cycle (0.21 %), operating frequency (2882 MHz), antenna type and size (parabolic, 28 -foot diameter dish) found on pp. 2 -6 of the same document were used as inputs to the design equations. Since the set of system specification was not complete, certain reasonable �• 1 • 1 i , 1 '.1 41 1 • T. .11 cases "worst - case" conditions were assumed. The analysis employed is valid for distances greater than 1000 feet from the site. 2 1 i 06 -08 -1993 14:14 612 625 4583 Uoftl Electrical En9ineerin9 P.03 • 1 1 1 Findings • Exposure Levels - The radiation calculations carried out in accor- dance with the scheme detailed above, resulted in somewhat higher levels than documented in the NEXRAD assessments. However, it should be stressed that these results are obtained on the basis of a partially assumed set of system specifications, and as such may not ' be complete. More importantly, these findings do not contradict the conclusions reached in the " NEXRAD Expanded Site Survey And Environmental Assessment Report For The Minneapolis /St. Paul Area". The exposure levels are significantly lower than the current U.S. standards. According to the guidelines established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) document ' C95.1 -1982; the radiation power density levels in the spectrum range encompassing the NEXRAD frequencies should not exceed 5.0 mW /cm All the available assessments indicate that the ac- ' tual exposure levels are several times lower than mandated by ANSI right at the site, falling off rapidly with distance. • Health Risks - Despite the considerable scientific and public inter- est in the safety aspects of Electromagnetic Fields, no conclusive evidence indicating causal relationships between RF frequency ra- diation and increased health risks has been presented to date. The most current facts concerning this topic have been recently col- 111 lected in a study sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Report# EPA/600/6- 90/005B, Oct. 1990). The conclu- sions reached by the Appointed Advisory Committee issuing the report were that "... 'while there are epidemiological studies that indicate an association between EM [ ElectroMagnetic) fields or their surrogates and certain types of cancer, other epidemiological ' data t3 iferel'trfi"fl • difitt 13'1'1 Mil tt aEc rarLVgdifini MIS exists." 1 Although the EPA report did cite some animal (rat) investigations 3 1 06 -08 -1993 14:14 612 625 4583 UofM Electrical En9ineerin9 P.04 1 1 1 of RF radiation exposure which indicated increased incidence of certain cancer types, the exposure levels and durations used in the studies were hundreds and thousands of times greater than would 1 be expected in the proximity of the NEXRAD installation. The evidence concerning the hazards of human exposure to RFR is very limited at this time. Again, in situations in which increased cancer risks are observed, the exposures tend to be quite extensive. They typically occur in military or occupational settings, involving direct or close contact with radiating systems. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to draw analogies between those cases and the environmental effects which may be experienced by the general public as the result of exposure to NAXRAD signals. 1 Conclusion Based on the available body of evidence and current scientific opinion, 1 the Radio Frequency Radiation exposure levels resulting from normal operation of the NEXRAD system should not result in increased health risks to the general public in the surrounding communities. 1 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 ,\ NATIONAL WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE -4; ( WFO/RFO/NOHRSC) CHANHASSEN MINNESOTA "'��� I I IIIIII11 Illllllll llllllllllu w t - / __ _- INI{Ilhfifillh ''''' . ,.�,,,,;....._ i ,� n, , r /( J / a /� /, i //r :. + ,. /r z „ 1 ; �\ ' /l�r f 1 1/� 77f� I� c , � !cu 'nSl� • �' , - t 1 1,1 3 :i tir . i 1 ..414444\44w1 . PERSPECTIVE VIEW LOOKING SOUTHWEST ..*•-'-'-'-'-".-- DEVELOPER CIVIL CONSULTANT JONES, HAUGH & SMITH INC. P ATM OSph 4`'sl we � JOHN KRETCHMAR ALB SOUTH LEA. WANHIN N( 373-187S ��� i� CHANHASSEN VENTURE LTD. • r ,, 400 EAST RANDOLPH, SUITE boo STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT ` P ' * a ° ,, ) 1 O ; t. _ °. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60601 (312) 943-1515 o IIUHR � .� -^ HEYER ENGINEERING ''t : �f 11 S NORTH UNIVERSITY DANE. SURE I! Q j.s: c N SOX 7297 „-•_}� -.,_ "� ARCHITECT FARGO NORTH DAKOTA 5!109 (701) 2e0.0949 4 4 ' - - - › O R OGERS, PERLENFEIN & ASSOCIATES MECHANICAL CONSULTANT 4 - -, �� 403 CENTER AVENUE. SUITE 408 OBERMILLER, NELSON ENGINEER s MOORHEAD. MINNESOTA 56560 (218) 236.0855 C. ( o t 2301 RGO NORfH MOO (701) 2900500 *. °r■ I P: : CONTRACTOR ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT Fp ARnNENT OF C ' 4 "0 4rw0 /0' MERRIMAC CONSTRUCTION CAD ASSOCIATES 14533 HIGHWAY 65 N.E. 529 SOUTH 7TH STREET. SUREST° 1.1 an me sie I= mill m _ANOKESOT (6 MINNFA__POL1S. MN. SS.iS 612) 221. an 1 fl: 3 l . 6i 2 2 d1Y € I II a t Y 5 4 Y .j 1 Y it f *s a{ 7$ $ 1d $ .1 1 I 1 W I o ! -I. - .,E - W it TIT i 1 a 1 s � .► d' Ili ° di - S a 1 § ` L ! 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O t '� I t a� 1 ''i 4 1,� _ l 1 inim i�� I .0ti11•il © Illi>•ih�I1C ' par- e: EeeeeeE::::t 1 1 11 �T mill M M N M M ( 1 f ## Ltd +l i i_ tth ti I 1Iii I 1 is • 1 1 1 ,. ., , 122111-Q n\lo 34' DIAMETER II A 11011111 iail � /1' ' \ 1 ' i a u'� /il -- ' A ' i) toP.iirifk 1 \ I"iff ff 36' DIAMETER 1 . 1 134'± 127'± 1 1 1 I A \ '1 1 1 1 150,000 GALLON NEXRAD RADAR TOWER WATER TOWER 1 1 1 1 �.n y cd 1 TACT SHEET National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ' National Weather Service Office of Public Affairs Silver Spring, MD 20910 301 - 713 -0622 ' NOAA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MODERNIZATION - A complete modernization of the United States weather system promises to greatly ' improve forecast and warning capabilities of the National Weather Service (NWS), the largest component of the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Based on new technology and a greater emphasis on training and education in the ' sciences of meteorology and hydrology, the program is designed to provide more timely and precise severe weather and flood warning and forecasts for the nation - -a move that will save lives and help minimize property damage. Key industrial sectors of the nation will also be able ' to make cost - saving adjustments based upon more reliable weather forecasts. As the modernization program progresses, underlying assumptions about the capabilities and range of new weather radars are being verified each day. ' The United States has the r g eatest variety of severe weather of any country in the world. Severe winters, droughts, heat waves, hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes are not uncommon. In ' an average year, weather - related events claim the lives of several hundred Americans, and damage runs in the billions of dollars. ' Obsolete technologies, however, have hindered the rapid observation, analysis and communication of information on fast - breaking, smaller -scale events that produce severe ' thunderstorms, tornadoes and flash floods. With our outdated technology, too often warnings are issued only after the storm or flood has developed. ' Major advances in satellites, radar, information processing and communications systems, automated remote sensors, and superspeed computers are the tools of tomorrow's warnings and forecasts. It will be a new Weather Service, staffed by more highly trained and skilled people, ' with a versatile an of advanced technologies at their fingertips. By the end of this decade, the National Weather Service will operate the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world. ' Benefits of Modernization 1 When the new technology is in place, Americans will receive the following: 1 * Better warnings and forecasts of hurricanes and winter storms that claim a major toll of life and property. - more - 1 1 2 1 * Earlier, more reliable and site - specific warnings of flash floods, the number -one cause of weather deaths. * Earlier, more reliable and accurate warnings of thunderstorms and tornadoes. With the new technologies, as much as 30 minutes' warning of major tornadoes may be possible. This would significantly improve protection for millions of people. Currently, warnings of less than ten minutes are typical. * Improved warnings of general flooding for the increasing numbers of people living in cities, river valleys, and coastal areas. * Fewer false alarms of severe weather, resulting in heightened public confidence in NOAA's weather warning services. * Improved long -range routine forecasts, out to ten days, better serving the Y 8 general population and America's agricultural, transportation and other economic interests. Background As organized and equipped today, the National Weather Service provides excellent 1 service, especially in observing and forecasting large -scale events occurring over several days. Today's three -to- five -day forecasts are as good as one -to -two -day forecasts of a decade ago. But meteorologists and hydrologists need more and higher - quality observations of the atmosphere if they are to improve warnings of such highly localized and often deadly events as severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and flash floods. Many of the current observational techniques are labor intensive and based on the use of obsolete equipment. Today's weather radars, for example, are based on 1940s technology stemming from World War II. Advanced Technological Systems New National Radar System , Weather radar is vital for detecting and monitoring the movement and development of severe storms. But the radar units in today's national network are obsolete and difficult to 1 service. They are so old that some of the parts are no longer manufactured. The Weather Service is the only government agency that still trains people in vacuum tube technology. The explosive growth of technology has led to development of a new Doppler radar, P PP model WSR -88D. This development is a joint project of the Departments of Commerce, - more - 1 1 3 1 Transportation (FAA) and Defense to meet their common weather radar needs. The new radar will incorporate state -of -the -art technology allowing improved reflectivity 1 measurements to produce a menu of computer products never before available to the forecaster, including one hour, three hour, and storm total precipitation over the radar's entire coverage area. By layering individual radar displays, the flood forecaster will be able to more quickly and accurately analyze rainfall coverage over entire basins. Application of the Doppler Effect in these new radars will allow forecasters to "see" inside storms and detect wind -driven rain that is carried toward or away from the radar. This gives a clear indication of storm rotation and of many severe storms in their early stages. 1 Ultimately, more than 150 units will be produced for use in this country and at military bases overseas. The automated radars will acquire, process and distribute high - resolution data ' which provide valuable clues about the development of events such as tornadoes, flash floods, squall lines, wind and wind shear, and precipitation. The radar sites were selected to provide maximum coverage for severe w.eather and floods for this country. Overlapping coverage will permit the continuous tracking of moving storms. Data from the radars at Norman, Oklahoma, Melbourne, Florida, and Sterling, Virginia, ' have been available for Weather Service forecasters for over a year. Verification statistics from each of these offices show this new technology has significantly aided the forecasters in a dramatic improvement in severe weather services. 1 In Norman, Oklahoma, the radar has increased lead time for tornado warnings from 0 -4 minutes to as many as 20 minutes. Central Florida had an unprecedented 40- minute lead time 1 of an approaching severe thunder and hail storm in March. In a five -hour period, the Melbourne office issued 25 warnings and bulletins. 1 In the Washington, D.C., area, a decision by the Office of Personnel Management not to release federal workers during a February snowstorm was based on a Sterling forecast using new radar data. This decision saved the government $43 million. New Satellite System 1 New NOAA weather satellites will provide forecasters with more detailed imagery and with a new instrument for atmospheric soundings. These data may provide critical advance information about hurricanes, thunderstorms, flash floods, and other severe weather. Two geostationary (GOES) weather satellites normally are positioned over the equator ' at 75W and 135W to provide a broad view of the United States, its coastal waters and the Pacific and Atlantic breeding grounds for winter storms and hurricanes. Due to loss of a spacecraft in a 1986 launch explosion and subsequent failure of an orbiting satellite, only one 1 GOES is now fully operational. But dual- satellite coverage will be assured during the remainder of this century with the procurement of five new - design, geostationary weather satellites. The 1 - more - 1 1 4 first is scheduled for delivery late in 1993. Four improved NOAA polar orbiting satellites will be available during the 1990s, with the first to be launched in 1995. These satellites collect weather information over the world's oceans and polar regions and are an important source of operational information for forecasting weather for several days to a week or more. Information Processing and Communications System Today's weather offices communicate among themselves sand process information on site with a computer network known as the Automation of Field Operations and Services (AFOS), which was installed in the late 1970s. It uses data bases supported by mini - computers at each 1 weather office, and forecasters use it to manipulate screen- displayed data in preparing forecasts and warnings. 1 The AFOS is obsolete and does not have the capacity or capability to process the extensive, fine -scale observations which will become available with the new systems. AFOS will be replaced with a new computer system called the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS). This advanced workstation will permit forecasters to extract, assimilate, and quickly display the most meaningful information from a diverse set of observations. As part of the AWIPS development, NOAA will establish communications links between its national meteorological center and the warning and forecast offices to ensure the transmission of near real -time data. As a part of this communications network, one -way broadcast of NOAA environmental data and information will be available in near real -time to NOAA users and to private meteorological and hydrological services nationwide. Automated Surface Observing Systems Today, routine surface weather observations are collected manually at 260 Weather 1 Service facilities, a task involving 1500 people full- and part-time. The effort intensifies greatly during severe weather, when rapidly changing conditions require frequent updates to surface observations. It is during this same period that NWS personnel need additional time to prepare and disseminate warnings and special weather statements. Implementing a new Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) at up to 1700 airports and other locations nationwide will help provide this vital time. A joint effort of NOAA, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the U.S. Navy, the ASOS program is procuring as many as 1,700 units, most of which are planned for installation at U.S. airports. They will operate automatically, 24 hours a day, continuously alerting forecasters and users to significant weather changes. 1 The ASOS units will acquire, process, store, format and distribute temperature, - more - 1 1 1 5 ' atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, cloud cover and other data. This information will flow directly to the weather offices as well as to local airport control towers. Computer - generated voice will broadcast weather information automatically to pilots near the airports. Automated Upper -Air Observations 1 Upper -air observations are collected twice daily from about 100 U.S. and Caribbean sites with balloon -flown sensors, many of which are recovered, refurbished and reused. Eventually ' these observations may be collected by a ground -based network of atmospheric sensing radars. A network of 29 ground -based microwave sounders -- called Wind Profilers --has been installed on a test basis in 15 central states. The wind profilers acquire wind speed and direction information at 72 different levels in a column of air up to an altitude of 10 miles. Each station is automatically sending wind information to a quality control hub in Boulder, Colo., every six ' minutes. Hourly- averaged wind data are then transmitted to National Weather Service offices throughout the United States for use in making local forecasts. The data are also sent to the National Meteorological Center outside Washington, D.C., where they are integrated into computer numerical models used in preparing mid -range forecasts. 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Spotaors and Participants 1 The Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) Program is a federal effort to design. install, and operate a nationwide system of new weather radars to replace existing aging and less capable radars. The program is a joint effor of he National. Weather Service (NWS) in the Department of Commerce, the Air Force in the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the Department of Transportation. 1 Purpose The purpose of the new radar network is to reduce weather - related loss of life, injuries, property damage, and interruption of business and personal activities. This goal will be accom- plished by improving the detection of severe weather, u well as by improving routine weather forecasting. Such improvements will snake possible better tornado and winter storm warnings, flash flood predictions, general weather forecasts, flight safety and economy information (wind 1 shear, turbulence, and wind), and water resource management (runoff). For example, earlier warnings of the occurrence and location of tornadoes before touchdown will allow additional protective actions to be taken, probably leading to fewer deaths and less 1 damage to property. In addition, fewer false hazardous weather alarms will reduce the costs of disruption and protection. 1 System The NEXRAD system will consist of 115 NWS, 23 DoD, and 15 FAA weather radars in the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. It will gather information about ' the loca ori, intensity, and movement of severe weather, namely, tornadoes, thunderstorms, heavy rain and snow, hurricanes and cyclones, hail, high winds, and intense turbulence. The ' radars will be Ioontul 30 that they cover severe weather areas, major waterways, offshore waters, flight routes, airports, and air bases. ' Site Selection Factors Each radar site is selected by considering both coverage requirements and construction and 1 opctatiorsal factors. The primary considerations are a clear view in the directions from which severe weather typically approaches and the location of population concentrations. Radar antenna tower heights are set to give adequate coverage while keeping interference by reflection 1 from buildings and surrounding terrain small. 1 1 03- 25_MAR 25�9 01__5PM ::NIJS CENTRAL REGION TO 916164263270 ?016 P.18 /28 1 Other siting considerations include roads and utilities; nearness to weather service forecast offices, airports, and military air bases; and needs for limited duplicate coverage in high- threat tornado and hurricane areas. Environmental Assessment I A Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement written in 1984 is the foundation of the environmental process for the NEXRAD Program. The basic facilities and equipment fcaunts of the radar sites were sufficiently well known in 1984 to judge their potential environmental 1 impacts in general terms. However, the actual sites for the radars had not yet been selected, and therefore it was not possible to assess whether the potential impacts would occur at specific sites, arid, if they did, whcthcr they would be significant. Therefore, environmental assume= (BAs) are written for each site A site - specific EA is typify prepared after the in-depth survey using III addidonal information abort the impact or impacts of concern gathered during the sway. To date, no site- specific environmental impact statements have been necessary. 1 Schedule The first ten WSR -S 8D radars have been installed. The =minder will be installed at a rate I between one and four per month until the entire network is operational in 2995. THE WSR -88D RADAR 1 Name 'The radar used in the NEXRAD network is known as a S - S D radar radar. . hi This in 988. and that the radar is a weather surveillance radar. that manufact g that it is a Doppler radar (see below). 1 Appearance The 28 - foot dish - shaped antenna, known as a parabolic reflector, is housed at the top of a tower in a nearly spherical, mostly plastic enclosure (known as a radorne) about 39 feet in 1 diameter to protect it from dirt, wind, and weather, while allowing the radar signal to pass through (see Figure 1). At each site, the tower height is selected to allow the radar to see beyond the surrounding terrain and nearby human obstructions, to b10 k gown ally interfering noise' from other emitters, and to reduce the reflection of WSR -88D signals, which the radar receives as interfering noise. Site A typical WSR -88D radar site contains an antenna tower, an equipment building that houses the transmitter and receiver, a stand - electric generator, and electric power and telephone lines. The actual layout at a given she depends on the characteristics of the site, including its shape, slope, drainage, and access. (Figure 2 shows a general layout.) The tower and adjacent structures are surrounded by a 7 -foot -high chain -link security fence. 1 2 1 1 C3- 25 -rI� k , e y _ N1 :ARM NWS CENTRAL Kl_61UN + v Q 6 I" - - . - r.1yiG1:t 1 1 - I OIer / 1 - ZAMINk . RADOME .---. 1 341 -a' I RAIL AIIIIMIN•11111110M7 i 'lr ,.; /' REMOVABLE VAIIMI , 1 ASSEMBLY PLATFORM . / �j i „ - MAXIMUM OF 6/ MINIMUM Of 1 1 A___ ; MXIM EQUALLY SPACED _ 5 -n, S&OTIONS r_ (16. ft m(r \�� , 1e.4 ft mox) 1 �s'j SAFETY �� GATE 1 _ r ' ,UNIT SECURITY ROOF rENCi; ter' CURB ;7.:,.. \ SHELTER 1 4 1 r ■ -4 IP, - _ _ __. chanhlsn 1 11 1 FIGURE 1 Typical WSR -88D Radar Towor (Profile) 1 1 122 _ 2s _ (MAF' , ;2' , qi...;,,,,i4F:11,..NW CENTRAL REGION {U e! m4! C3 4 I'C r ... =U F'.20/28 1' 1 1 1 1 1 1 - NWS NEXRAD - - - 140 ft .4 1 90 ft BACK -LIP SO-kW _ !r 1 --1 v117/ POWER G ENERATOR / DIE . FUEL STORAGE) i �- --, m ■ L _.1 /%� ELECTRICAL 1 C p j - ---- - ---- EQUIP ER ; SHELTER O 1 x y �/rr� %/� / /� MINIMUM AREA 1 I CONSTRUCTION AND TO OE LEASED/ j STAGING AREA PURCHASED 1 1 1 1 1 FIGURE 2 Typical Layout For NWS Radar Site 1 1 1 03_25_0P, i 5 nom: 61, 55FM, NWS CENTRAL REGION TO 916' 64232 C fUl1 P.21'" 1 1 personnel The radar requires no staff. However, government employees and contractors will periodi- cally visit the site to carry out maintenance and to make repairs. At some radar sites, a new I weather service office will also be constructed. The office will be staffed 24 holm a day by 5 to 6 persons per shift 1 Doppler Technology A Doppler radar is one that takes advantage of the Doppler shift to detect the motion Other than just the presence) of water, dust, and other particles in the air and thus the velocity (speed I and direction) of the wind. The Doppler shift is the change in the pitch of a sound caused by movement of the sound source toward or away from the listener. The stun drop in the pitch of a locomotive horn as it passes is an illustration of the Doppler shift. Designing a weather radar I to take advantage of the Doppler shift is a recent engineering advance. I WSR -88D OPERATION AND ELECTROMAGNETIC CHARACTERISTICS Operation The signal transmitted by the WSR -88D consists of short pulses formed into a narrow beam I by the antenna. In normal surveillance operation, the antenna and therefore the beam move continuously 1 according to a prescribed scanning program. In all such programs, the anenna rotates con- tinuously around its vertical axis (making a complete circle). At tfie same time, the elevation of the beam is held constant within the range from 0.5 above horizontal to a maximum. of 19.5° 1 above horizontal. The beam elevation may be changed at the end of each revolution. For occasional maintenance and testing, the radar operates in a "searchlight" mode, during which the beam is directed at a fixed location for as much as 5 minutes at a time. Safety I measures ensure that searchlight operating time is carefully limited. The mechanical design of the antenna system prevents the beam from being directed more 1 than 1° below or 60° above horizontal. Computer programs limit the beam to between 0.5 and 19.5. The WSR -88D radar detects the motion of weather as far as about 145 miles and the 1 The of weather as far as about 290 miles from the site. RFR Emission I ' Frequency The WSR -88D radar is designed to operate at any frequency in the range 2700 to 3000) I megahertz (MHz). However, at a given site, the radar will operate at a single, fix recluency. The frequency for each site will be selected by considering the frequencies used by other radars within about 150 miles and also the frequencies that could interfere with other users of the 1 cicztromagnetic spactrum (sec below). 1 5 1 0!121: I`IW:J ItIVIKHL Ktb1VIY iv v'1V:v7ovJaiv • - -- r.GC/eb l J �v a a • •'• 1 Seam Characteristics To meet weather detection requirements, the radar must emit a strong, well- focused beam of is m electroagnetic energy. The antenna forms the energy into a narrow, cone - shaped beam. About 90% of the energy emitted is concentrated in the cone representing the main beam. The radar beam actually consists of a string of energy pulses. The pulses may be either 1.57 1 or 4.71 microseconds (millionths of a second) long and be repeated between 318 and 1304 times III per second No energy is transmitted between pulses. The antenna actually transmits a signal a maximum of 0.21 percent, or roughly one five - hundredth, of the de. The back o lt, pulses are by relatively long intervals to allow the radar to detect energy reflected Power The WSR -88D radar radiates a maximum power of 475 kilowatts (kW) or less. The pulse duration and repetition rate are chosen so that the average radiated power is 1 kW or less. Comparison with Other Emitters 1 The general public is exposed to electromagnetic radiation from other common sources around it. Broadcast radio stations radiate at powers tinging from 1 to SO kW in the AM I frequency band of 535 -1605 kilohertz (kHz) and the FM frequency band of 88 - 108 MHz. Rroadcast TV stations may radiate at pnwexs from under 100 kW up to 3 MW at frequencies between 55 and 88 MHz and 174 and 890 MHz. Microwave ovens operate at 2450 MFiz and 1 I kW of power, but virtually all of the energy is contained within the oven. CelluIar telephones radiate 1 -5 W of power in frequency bands located between 825 and 890 MHz RFR Definition RFR is an abbreviation coined for the words "radiofrequency radiation" It refers to the emission of electromagnetic energy within a certain range of frequencies. Frequency, a key characteristic of RFR, is the rate, in cycles per second or Her (Hz), at which the RFR field I reverses direction. For example, in the United States, electric power is supplied to homes and businesses as 60-Hz alternating current. Mother important characteristic of RFR is its wavelength. The wavelength is one of the factors that affect how RFR interacts with objects. The wavelength of RFR at 3000 MHz is about 4 inches. The wavelength of visible light is about 0.00003 inch, and that of power -line' electromagnetic Scads is about 3.100 Miles. Electromagnetic F.nvironment Electromagnetic fields - the combination of electric and magnetic fields - are created by electric charges. Electric fields are created by the presence of electric charges, and magnetic fields are created by the motion of electric charges. The electromagnetic environment at am particular location and time consists of all the electromagnetic fields occurring there, whether/ from human or natural sources. 1 6 1 HR E5 ' E'1!5g 1 .NWS CENTRAL REGION T n 0 8164263270 P023 F.E3i28 I Some human contributions to the electromagnetic environment are intentional, but others are i ncidental to some other activity, Radio and radar signals are intentional, as arc signals from TV stations, amateur radio and citizens band operations, air navigation aids, cable TV satellites, and 1 so on. Other human contributions include unintentional and erratic signals, or noise, from power lines, fluorescent lights, appliance motors, and computers. Automobile spark ignition systems are a major contributor. 1 Nature also contributes substantial noise. For example, lightsiing strokes act as powerful transmitters over a wide range of frequencies. Because some signals are reflected by the upper atmosphere, noise from distant storms can cause static in local radios. 1 Electromagnetic Spectrum Electromagnetic fields are classified by their frequency. Figure 3 shows the range of I possible frequencies; that is, the electromagnetic spectrum National and international organiza- tions manage the spectrum and allocate portions (bands) for different purposes. The WSR -88D radars will operate at frequencies just above the TV band. Ionizing versus Nonionizing Radiation Electromagnetic radiation with frequencies higher than about 10 Hz (a million billion c ycles per second) is energetic enough to ionize molecules; that is, to add enough energy to an electron that it will escape from a molecule. Naturally occurring forms of ionizing radiation I include ultraviolet sunlight, radioactive materials in the earth such as uranium and its relatives as well as radon gas, and gamma and cosmic rays from space. Human sources of ionizing radiation include X-ray machines and ultraviolet tanning lamps. I Nonionizing radiation such as RFR from radars, TVs, and radios is lower frequency radia- t ion that cannot have the same effect, It can, however, agitate molecules and thereby add beat to the exposed object. If the rate of heat addition is lower than the object's ability to rid itself of the I heat, the object's temperature will not rise, If it is higher, the object will become wanner. Be- cause molecular agitation ends shortly after exposure ceases, an object that has been warmed by RFR exposure will cool. . I RFR versus Power -line EMF The electromagnetic fields from electric power lines - often called EMF, for electric and I ma fields - are quite different from those created by devices that emit RFR. Their frequencies, and therefore their wavelengths, differ by a factor of 100 to 100,000,000. As noted above, the wavelength of 3000 MHz RFR is about 4 inches, compared with 3,100 miles for I power -line EMF. For physical reasons having to do with the distance from the source, the relative sizes of the wavelengths and the objects. and the cellular nature of biological objects. the interaction between objects and the two types of electromagnetic fields is very different in I nature. Emission Measurement I The power density of an electromagnetic fi is the rate at which energy passes through a given area in space. It is typically measured in units of power per unit area, commonly thousandths of a watt (milliwatts) per ware centimeter (mW /cni 7 03_2 ^_ thAR 2:5,,,,',2.,...7.; 612!'4L CENTRAL REGION TO 91u1b4Zb Z'IU ruc4 P.24/28 f • 1 1 1 1 D . 1 1 .. MM. r ■w 2 1 O a K W. A i 5 1 6 E 1 • co e N a I z w - - O € 1 444 r � e g z Amenbela Owl wn V, dOM�A s 2 I ii Nee LL s iI A awnbs+d w 8 buritowd 0071 1 bkoristui or AAA a A 1 w 1 it 1 1 1 ` AF.i , , �5:? 61 :57FM NWE CENTRAL REGION TO 9181C426 rUL 2C 5_�t1� F. c_:'2E I il 03 - 2 - 1 1 Background Electromagnetic Environment The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) measured the intensity of electro- magnetic fields at many locations in cities across the United States to estimate the population ' exposed to various lovols. It found that average equivalent power densities ranged from 0400002 to oscigoop mW /cm Near FM radio and TV transtainer towers, values avenged less than 0.01 mwkm The highest value was 1 to 7 mW' /cm I a 4 D r ;c,.w,:tvct.,2' RFR BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS 1 Sources of Knowledge Our knowledge of actual or potential health effects from exposure to tadiofrequency radia- ' tion 'is based on the accumulation of findings from published reports of more than 10,000 scientific studies c nied out during more than three decades of research. Most information comes from laboratory research. Researchers have exposed both mammals, such as rats, mice. ' and primates, and nonmamnsals, such as birds, insects, and bacteria or ether microorganisms, to RFR and looked for specific biological effects, Isolated organs, nerve tissue, blood, single cells, cell cultures, and cellular components have also been studied. . 1 Some information conies from epidemiologic studies of human populations, medical case studies of accidents. and very limited laboratory experiments with human volunteers. I Epidemiologic studies examine selected groups of people (e.g., those with certain occupations) who are thought to have been exposed to an agent (in this case, RFR) that might cause some effect (e.g., cataracts); the incidence of the effect in those groups is the compared with that in a I "control" group of people thought not to have been exposed. Laboratory experiments using human volunteers are carefully restricted, but they arc helpful for anzln levels of exposure and possible effects. Information from accidental human overexposure is somewhat helpful in extending our knowledge, but fortunately it is not plentiful_ I Exposure Measurement I Power density. defined above, is used to describe the electromagnetic field created by a source of electromagnetic radiation. In RPR- biocffects research, a different unit of measure is often used to describe the dose rate of exposure. The rate at which energy is absorbed by a body during exposure to an electromagnetic field of a certain power density is defined as the "specific I absorption rate;' or SAR, expressed In watts/kilogram of ixxly mass (Wlkg). Guidelines and Standards I Over the years, several organizations have developed guidelines recommending limits for occupational or general public exposure to electromagnetic radiation. These guidelines are I provided for the voluntary use of any individual or public or private organization. In some instances, governmental agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission and some state and municipal bodies have adopted guidelines as enforceable standards. In the mid-1980s, EPA began investigating the need for exposure standards, but in the end did not issue any I standards. . 1 9 03 _25_ MAR + 25' O1 58F'1 NIJS CENTRAL REGION TO 916:642532?3 p,2E;2E; The organizations that have issued guidelines include the Institute of Electrical and E1ec- t tronic Engineers (IEEE), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the National Council on Radiological Protection (NCRP) [now called the National Council on Radiation Protection wad Measurements], the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists I (ACGIH), and the International Radiation Protection Association (1RPA), Each organization has independently considered the available information on the biological effects of electromagnetic radiation. Guidelines for human exposure have typically been basal on applying a safety factor I of from 5 to 100 to the largest SAR values that have been found not to be harmful in experi- mental studies. The existing guidelines generally recommend exposure limits across most of the nonionizing electromagnetic spectrum. In some portions of the spectrum, the suggested limit depends on the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation. In the band of frequencies that the WSR•88D radar uses, the limits recommended by the organizations named above are SARs from 0.08 to 0.4 W/kg, or power densities from 1.8 to 10 rcW /cm The average power density of the WSR•88D electromagnetic fold, as calculated using accepted engineering methods and verified by measurements at operating : does not exceed 0.6 mW /cm at the surface of the radotuue. For the Lowest ante height, the average density does not exceed 0.005 mW /cm within 6 feet of the ground. That value falls to about 04%4 teW /crag at 1,000 feet from the radar_ • log mo w: <f .)- Applicable Research Although a large amount of research has been carried out on the possible biological effects ' of RFR, the work using exposure situations similar to those created by the WSR -88D radar is most applicable. That is, studies at very different frequencies (e.g., involving 60 Hz power lines) and powers shed little or no tight on the possible effects of exposure to WSR -88D ratiiofrequcney radiation. As explained above for power lines, the reason for this is that the nature of the interaction between the RFR and the body is quite different from that of power line- frequency fields. As noted earlier, the energy of nonioniring radiadon such as RFR can be absorbed in a body in the for of beat. If the rate of heat addition is higher than the body's ability to remove the heat, body temperature will rise. High power RFR can convey large quantities of heat relative to a body's ability to dissipate it; that heat can result in welt - established and well- understood "thermal" effects. For Iower energy RFR, when the rate of heat addition is lower than the body's ability to remove heat, thermal effects are not observed. Electromagnetic radiation from the WSR -88D radar is not powerful enough to cause thermal effects, which are known to occur at exposure levels well above those specified in the various' exposure guidelines. Research Finding* Researchers have examined a diverse range of possible effects, including cancer, cataracts, and developmental abnormalities. Although some investigators have reported observing certain biological effects, the new IEEE standard document states that there are no verified reports of 10 158Fi 51AR9 ii1Z CENTRAL REGION TO 91b1 4LC lIl' r"Li F.27/28 , 1 1 human beings being injured or of human health being harmed by exposure to electromagnetic fields - that meet the new IEEE standards. 1 Origins of Controversy • The IEEE findings and similar conclusions by other organizations have been challenged by some scientists and nonsciendsts who report that they or others have identified potentially I harmful biological effects. The resulting controversy appears to arise from several solaces, discussed below. 1 Reporting The results of research are reported in a variety of ways. Confidence in any report depends on the reliability of the account. The IEEE and others rely prinu ily on accounts that are peer- I reviewed In peer review, scientists, engineers, and analysts with applicable knowledge and experience carefully review research reports to judge their technical credibility. The expert reviewers generally comment on the soundness of the work and the conclusions, including such I aspects as the experimental design, the experimental controls, and the statistical analysis of the results. Technical specialists who judge the evidence for RFR biological effects by focusing on I peer- reviewed reports tend to discount reports that are not peer - reviewed and therefore hold such reports of effects in much less regard than the public often does. Evaluation 1 Technical reviewers typically apply stringent scientific standards to judge both positive and negative accounts of RFR biological effects. Research on such effects is extremely difficult to conduct, analyze, and interpret. For example, epidemiologic studies may suggest a possible I association between an effect end RFR exposure. However, conclusions from this type of study are greatly limited because actual exposure of both the "exposed" population and the "control" population is usually known only very apprcmxirnately. Further, in epidentiologic and often in I other types of studies, a plausible mechanism by which the effect may occur usually is not either tested or discoverable. Therefore. in keeping with the scientific approach to establishing factual knowledge, technical reviewers commonly go to great lengths to establish the biological, engi- I neering, and statistical validity of reported research. findings, and conclusions. By contrast, people outside the scientific professions tend to accept all research reports equally at face value. 1 Guarantees A common question about scientific results is whether guarantees can be given that an adverse effect will not occur after many year of exposure to some agent. In general, scientists ' I believe that, if an experiment carried out many times indicates no effects, repeating it still more times will most likely show no effects as well. However, they cannot guarantee that outcome. Further, experimental data may be uncertain to varying degrees because of, for example, the I accuracy of instrumemation, or unknown or uncontrolled variations in the subjects or the exposure levels. In addition, the availability of time and money puts practical limits on the comprehensiveness and replication of experiments. Consequently, researchers typically describe I their experimental results in statistical terms and state thew conclusions in the language of probability (e.g., confidence levels). This lack of certainty is uncomfortable for any people. 1 1 11 111aF ©1 z :59 PP1 i V NW.tip CENTRAL REGION TO 918:64253270 P028 P.28 /2E 1 Effect and Harm Although people are aware of effects or changes in their everyday lives that are not harmful, they nevertheless often become concerned about effects over which they have little control or 1 that seem to be the subject of debate by scientists. Nonthertnal biological effects from exposure to MR have been reported. and some of the reports have been confirmed However. to date. there is no evidence that the observed effects are harmful. EPA has stated that exposure to electromagnetic radiation from the WSR -88D radar will not cause harmful health effects in the general population. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 12 1 CITYOF CIIILNIIASSEN -‘ 690 COULTER • ER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 (612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739 I ' MEMORANDUM TO: Kate Aanenson, Senior Planner 1 FROM: Dave Hempel, Assistant City Engineer tY ellif# 1 DATE: May 11, 1993 1 SUBJ: Site Plan Review for National Weather Forecast Office Lot 1, Block 2, Chanhassen Business Center File No. 91 -9 Land Use Review 1 Upon review of the site plan submitted for the National Weather Forecast Office prepared by Rogers, Perlenfein & Associates and Jones, Haugh & Smith, Inc. dated April 16, 1993, P I offer the following comments and recommendations: 1 BACKGROUND This site plan proposal is being considered prior to the City approving the final grading, ' drainage, utility and street construction plans for Chanhassen Business Center (CBC) - Phase I. The final plat was recently approved contingent upon approval of the street and utility construction plans and specifications and the developer entering into a development ' contract with the City. Preliminary construction plans for CBC have been reviewed by staff with some concerns such as sanitary sewer service and overall grading and drainage improvements. Staff is reasonably comfortable that once we receive the final grading and 1 drainage plans for Phase I of CBC we will be able to satisfy the previous concerns. GRADING AND DRAINAGE 1 The site consists of rolling terrain g and has been employed in the past as agricultural. The entire site is proposed to be graded in conjunction with the overall site improvements ' proposed with the plat of CBC - Phase I. There is an existing tree stand or row along the southerly property line which is proposed to be partially removed with the site grading. Staff feels that the grades could and should be amended to preserve the existing tree row along the south property line. 1 t4: PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER 1 1 Kate Aanenson 1 May 11, 1993 Page 2 1 Staff anticipates that the final grading plan from CBC will differ slightly from this site grading plan. Some of the adjustments such as trail placement and building elevation may need to be revised accordingly. The building pad elevation could be raised approximately four feet to facilitate sanitary sewer service from Audubon Road as originally designed and requested in lieu of Lake Drive West as the plans propose. In addition, there currently is no sanitary sewer in Lake Drive West nor is the City intending on extending sewer service along this street at this time. It would be the developer's responsibility to extend the sanitary sewer from the recently installed Upper Bluff Creek interceptor from the west along Lake Drive West. The plans propose on extending a storm sewer line from Lake Drive West which is ro osed P P to be provided by the developer with Phase I improvements. The exact location of the storm sewer stub is undetermined at this time but staff recommends the storm sewer line follows the proposed driveway access and intercept runoff prior to discharging into Lake Drive West. Staff is unable to verify if the proper number of catch basins or pipe size is adequate on the site without site drainage calculations. Detailed storm sewer calculations for a 10 -year storm event should be submitted for staff to review and approve. This may result in requiring additional catch basins or realigning the proposed storm sewer system on the site. UTILITIES 1 The plans propose on connecting to a proposed sanitary sewer and water service from Lake Drive West. The developer has petitioned the City for a §429 improvement project where the City would install the public improvements in Lake Drive West, i.e. sanitary sewer, water, storm sewer, etc. and assess the cost back to the benefitting property owners. The City Council may consider the petition; however, staff will be recommending against the project at this time due to the heavy debt load created with the other City projects currently underway. In addition, typically in a development such as this where the project does not serve a city -wide benefit such as installation of trunk utility improvements or a collector street, the developer would be responsible for the public utility and street installation within their development. The City has already installed a trunk sanitary sewer and water line along Audubon Road and trunk watermain along proposed Lake Drive West through this development in conjunction with the Upper Bluff Creek Trunk project. These trunk improvements will be assessed back to this development on both a lateral and trunk benefit. Assessments for the recently installed trunk sewer and water improvements will be spread accordingly over the newly created lots in CBC - Phase I. Two options are possible for providing sanitary sewer service to this lot. One would be if the developer installs the sanitary sewer in Lake Drive West or the other would be for the 1 1 1 Kate Aanenson May 11, 1993 Page 3 1 building pad to be raised approximately four feet and a service extended from Audubon Road. Without the developer receiving City approval for construction plans and specifications for ' the public street and utility improvements and entering into a development contract for Phase I of CBC, this site plan review is premature. ACCESS The plans propose on a permanent driveway access from proposed Lake Drive West and ' a temporary construction access from Audubon Road. The temporary access will be used during site grading and building construction for approximately 60 to 90 days until Lake Drive West is constructed with the first lift of bituminous. Again, if CBC has not received approval of the construction plans for site improvements and record the plat at the County, this site will not have an acceptable access. EROSION CONTROL Erosion control fence is proposed along the west and northwest perimeter of the site. Both driveway access points propose temporary lock entrances to minimize transporting of sediments by runoff or vehicle tracking onto the pave streets. 1 MISCELLANEOUS ' An additional 17 feet of right -of -way along with a 25 -foot wide drainage and utility easement will be dedicated along Audubon Road with the final plat of CBC - Phase I. The applicant's site plan should be revised to show these anticipated modifications to the lot configuration. The City is considering allowing site grading contingent upon the developer of CBC meeting g g P p et g certain conditions of approval; however, no building permits will be issued until the final ' plat of CBC - Phase I is recorded with the County. In addition, no certificate of occupancy will be issued without Lake Drive West first being constructed and formally accepted by the City. RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL 1 1. The final plat of CBC - Phase I shall be recorded with the County. ' 2. Detailed storm drainage calculations for a 10 -year storm event shall be submitted to the City for review and approval. Depending on the storm sewer calculations, the City may require additional catch basins and /or pipe. 1 Kate Aanenson May 11, 1993 Page 4 ' 3. A revised site grading plan incorporating the final approved grading plan for CBC - Phase I, including the trail location through the site, shall be resubmitted to the City for review and approval. 4. The proposed site grading along the south property line shall be revised to save the existing stand of trees. 5. All landscaping materials, i.e. trees and shrubs, shall be planted outside the proposed street right -of -way and not over any public utility lines, i.e. sanitary sewer lines and watermains. , 6. The site plan shall be amended to show the additional right -of -way and drainage and utility easements that will be conveyed to the City with the final plat of CBC - Phase I (17 feet of right -of -way and 25 feet of drainage and utility easement). 7. The property will be responsible for its share of the pending Upper Bluff Creek ' Trunk Sanitary Sewer and Water Improvement costs (Project No. 91 -17A). ktm 1 c: Charles Folch, City Engineer 1 1 1 CITYOF CHANHASSEN 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 1 (612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739 MEMORANDUM TO: Kate Aanenson, Senior Planner FROM: Mark Littfin, Fire Marshal ' DATE: Ma y 12, 1993 1 SUBJ: Weather Station Site Plan 1 I have reviewed the proposed site plan for the National Weather Service building and have made the following requirements: 1) Submit a reduce set of plans - 11" x 17 ". 1 2) Install fire hydrants as shown on utility plan. 3) A 10 (ten) foot clear space must be maintained around fire hydrants. 1 4) Hydrogen storage or use in excess of the amounts listed in UBC Table 9 -A will cause the upper air inflation building to be classified as an H -2 occupancy. All 1 requirements of the 1988 UBC Chapter 9 and the 1988 Uniform Fire Code must be met if the building is classified as an H -2 occupancy. 1 5) Additional information is needed on the fuel storage for the auxiliary emergency generator. 6) Install P.I.V. per Chanhassen Fire Marshal's approved location. 1 1 1 1 «r: PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER rip �� ill I I ti t ll dd r slaw taar t t1 : S ' ' t O d�i� x 1 r p r -- 1 1 j i# i t i 0 Ulf \ I I: Gs -. ii ',.. \ \ Ihr I 1 � O J f od l t } ( ii J ( p / I I 1 \ r /\ t .zu c�c. 1 t � d � _ /j �a ! et � Ft I'II 1 f ` /� + tt I d d i i �s ( /:� E Ef j 6 ' • O � —. — / % mil Iii 1 11c11i I —_ — {0l . `- — �' `' •! ' / ' , L `' _ 1 = l ; =1 I II 1 LAI I 1 = == --� — • — •--- -o o / / ` 1111 jIiill o III o 111 ===_ 1 -ko e p .; �� r E ; ,_ t _ =III - -' di d ;t t a eA .. 6 _ - ' � O ;t it t l� e 1 i I a t .1t 1 ! g g e 4 0 ! 41 '1' pQ �mei� 1 I . i L § �f�; %: i r= d iii I ( A Z. C if ;IN Irt id p e r / 1' I ¢ . t III di. �E 1 1 1 •• € Q It mil 'd - i } 7 d.- T. I f T aF ' " a ./ 'Nf =Wr ir ill I d a Ii a of if i v > ' E E I'i s / 4I 1 F i J Ii s 1 1 CITYOF 1 1 0 4:111' 6 90 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 1 (612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739 (MEMORANDUM TO: Kathryn Aanenson, Senior Planner it ROM: Steve A. Kirchman, Building Official (� `-mot is, "ATE: 05/10/93 SUBJECT: 93 -4 Site Plan Review (National Weather Forecast Office) IL Background: , I have reviewed the National Weather Forecast Office plans dated 04/16/93. Plans included title page, L01, A01 -03, AU01, C01 -05 and EL01. A total of 12 pages. This is not a building permit plan review. ,Analysis? The City of Chanhassen adopted UBC appendix Chapter 38 as amended by the State 'of Minnesota. This required B -2 office occupancies greater than 8500 square feet to be fire sprinklered. This requirement is of concern to occupants with extensive computer systems. Fire sprinkler systems can be designed to t rovide additional safeguards for computers in fire sprinklered buildings. Recommendations: 'The building owner and \or contractor should consult with Public Safety staff about required fire sprinkler system before submitting plans for permit ' review. 1 1 1 1 If II t«r i PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER ## 8 CHANHASSEN PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MAY 19, 1993 Chairman Batzli called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. , MEMBERS PRESENT: Joe Scott, Nancy Mancino, Brian Batzli, Matt Ledvina, Ladd Conrad, and Jeff Farmakes • MEMBERS ABSENT: Diane Harberts STAFF PRESENT: Paul Krauss, Planning Director; Kate Aanenson, Senior ' Planner; and Dave Hempel, Asst. City Engineer PUBLIC HEARING: , CHANHASSEN VENTURE, INC_ WHO PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT AN 18.522 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING. AN UPPER AIR INFLATION BUILDING FOR LAUNCHING BALLOONS. AND A II FUTURE NEXRAD RADAR TOWER FOR THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ON PROPERTY ZONED PUD -IOP, PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT - INDUSTRIAL OFFICE PARK. LOCATED EAST OF AUDUBON ROAD AND SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 5 IN THE CHANHASSEN BUSINESS II CENTER. Public Present: Name Address Greg Doeden 8480 Swan Court Ross Huseby 1431 Heron Drive Ken O'Konek 1421 Heron Drive Jerry Krieger 2800 Wayzata Boulevard Joe Edeskuty 406 Cimarron Circle Gay Schmidt 8301 Gaipin Boulevard Mark Anderson 1441 Mallard Court Kate Aanenson presented the staff report on this item. Chairman Batzli called the public hearing to order. Larry Predwick: First of all let me begin by saying that the National ' Weather Service is in the process of beginning, or not beginning but in the early stages of a rather large scale modernization effort across the entir country. We're taking advantage of a lot of new technology which is cominr to age right now. We're working our weather service operations into a format that each office, unlike what we do right now. For example in Minneapolis, at the airport we have what we call a State forecast office. That State forecast office is basically responsible for the majority of th forecasts and the warnings, especially for winter events and so on, that cover the entire state of Minnesota. We've got local field offices, such ' as International Falls, up at Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud and so on that provide some detailed local services. The organization that we're going into in the future will result in just about each one of the new field offices, which in the state of Minnesota will be at Duluth. Will be at II Minneapolis. Then a flank up near Fargo. Or actually Grand Forks. Over at LaCrosse and down at Sioux Falls. Is that each one of those offices will, for all practical purposes be equal in the type of service that they will be providing. One of the corner stones behind this new field structure is the new radar system that we are in the process of installing. Planning Commission Meeting May 19, 1993 - Page 2 The Weather Service is already under contract with the Paramax Corporation ' to purchase and install this new equipment. It is, to say the least, a major change in the technology that we're using today. We would be obligated to go through some sort of a change even if it was not for the new capabilities of the system, because quite frankly the radar equipment that we're using today, we number systems. We call them, like for example you've heard the number 88 -D. WSR 88 -D stands for Weather Surveillence Radar, Model 88 Dopler. The reason that the 88 is there is that stands for the year in which the design was locked into place and started using that level of technology. The current system that we have today, for example at the International Airport here, and also at a number of other places around ' the country is a WSR 57. Maybe that will tell you at what point that radar was built. In other words, in 1957 that's the type of technology that we're using right now and quite frankly we're the only federal agency that ' teaches it's technicians how to maintain vaccum tube technology. Because that's how old this equipment is. So we would have to replace it no matter what. An important aspect of this technology is, it gives us the ability to look at the atmosphere, especially storm structure in a manner in which we've never been able to do before. As best as I can maybe give you an analogy. If you're familiar with CAT Scan or maybe better correctly an analogy of an MRI. We can do now to the atmosphere with this type of ' technology what an MRI can provide a doctor with being able to look at the human body in all three dimensions. And also pick out whatever dimension that they want to look at. So consequently it's important where we place this particular piece of equipment. You've heard the term an X -ray I've used and let me begin here by giving you a little quick update on what these terms Nexrad means. Next generation weather radar. It's going to provide a continuous scanning of the atmosphere, contemplation of severe weather, percipitation estimates and early detection of tornadic storms. The system is being jointly paid for by three agencies. The Department of Defense, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Weather ' Service. The primary function of this new particular technology is that we're going to be able to increase the average tornado warning time, improve the accuracy and descriptions about the locations and severity of thunder storms developing a distinction between severe and less severe ' storms. And just this whole list of things that you can see here which is not really possible with the level of technology that we're working with today. For all practical purposes today, the only thing that our radar can ' look at is what we call reflectivity. This particular new piece of equipment gives us the ability to look at all of these different types of parameters. And I think out of this whole thing there's about 500 and some ' odd different, individual subsets of this that we can look at. These radars are being placed in a national network. This will give you an idea of the rough distribution and it's important where we place these things because what we want to be able to do is to best we can, to cover the ' entire United States. This particular slide right here shows the coverage at 10,000 feet for the country from the network that we're planning on putting in and with the exception of these places that you see out here, ' way out west, which is due to extremely high mountains and so on. And also there's very, very low densities as far as population is concerned. There's a few places that we're not going to be able to cover as well as ' we'd like. The systems that are going to cover the state of Minnesota are depicted in this slide. See we'll have one up here. Actually this is a little town called Mayville. Weather Service office will be located at Planning Commission Meeting May 19, 1993 - Page 3 Grand Forks. And then there will be a radar located at Duluth, the one here in Minneapolis and one at LaCrosse, Quad Cities, Des Moines, Sioux Falls. This will give you an idea of the approximate level of coverage. Placement of these is rather important because of the ability to be able look at the vertical structure of the storms and the atmosphere. It's th objectives to place these things in the approach zone of severe weather to the largest population center that we're attempting to cover, which in th' particular case is going to be Minneapolis. That's why in this particular slide you see what the approach zone of blizzards is. Frontal systems. The approach of severe storms, which are also the...producers. So it's important that we place these radars as best we can in certain geographic , locations. Also to take advantage of certain topographic features which helps what we call surpress ground clutter. And this is the projected coverage of the radar located at the site that we picked here. This is what we see at 2,000 feet or above. 4,000 feet and above and 6,000 feet and above and the reason that these elevations are what they are, is due t the earth curvature. Unlike conventional radars, this particular piece of equipment operates in an entirely different mode and this slide right here' hopefully will give you some idea of what happens. Is that the radar operates at a minimum elevation of a half degree above the horizontal. It makes a complete sweep and automatically tilts up to another half degree and makes a complete sweep. It goes up again and makes another tilt. Mak complete sweep and so on. So it goes through 14 elevations in 5 minutes in this particular mode, what we call volume coverage pattern 21. It will do it in 6 minutes at 9 elevations and there are several others and so th end result is, is that we wind up getting a volume coverage of the atmosphere and this will kind of graphically give you an idea of what that looks like. From that then we can go back and because of the computer power that's available today in fairly small and compact systems, we can g' and analyze the atmosphere in a manner in which we've never been able to do before. The site that we picked is actually somewhat of a compromise because there are other sites we looked at and the simple fact of the matter is, this is the best site for the available dollars and cents. And without going into any more details, here's another couple things here. Since the last meeting that we were at, I brought along a'couple of interesting little pictures here that we talked about but I really wasn't II able to show the last time I was here. One of the things that we'll do, and why we're working with the FAA on this is because the system will give' us the ability to look at the upper part of the atmosphere in a manner in which we've never been able to do. Every 6 minutes we'll get a complete wind profile. And why the FAA is interested in this is because it also helps provide input as far as information related to wind sheer. I think it goes without saying that if we could prevent one aircraft, commercial aircraft accident as a result of this piece of equipment right here, it would have more than paid for itself a thousand times over. Another thing' we can look at, and this is one that I took off of a radar down at Kansas City a few days ago where we had a rather sizeable severe weather event go through. The system can sit there and monitor storms that otherwise we would have to do manually, and one of the things that you will notice that'll this little juncture right here. See that little circle. What the computer has done is it has analyzed a spot right there and said that at this location the computer has identified what we call a mezziocyclone. And indeed, because of this particular little indication right here and th subsequent issuing of a tornado warning, about 10 minutes later a tornado II Planning Commission Meeting 9 May 19, 1993 - Page 4 II did touch down in this location and moved across just to the north of I Kansas City and consequently we were able to provide additional warning time, lead -time that we've never been able to do before. And lastly, this is a picture that I took off of the radar at, this occurred last Sunday I night. This is from Wichita, Kansas where we had the system operating. You'll notice around here in this particular location, correlate this to the percipitation amounts and what it showed here, which we would have not seen before, is we detected percipitation amounts in the 6 to 7 inch range I in less than 3 hours. And consequently we were able to put up flash flood warnings for Coffeeville, Kansas considerably earlier than we would have otherwise and potentially may have saved a number of lives in this area I because of the indications that we got from here. And as it turned out, we received an official report, unfortunately had we had to wait on that and not have this radar picture, that report didn't come in until the next I morning but the report came in, 6.7 inches of rain in a 2 hour period of time. So as a result of having this kind of technology available to us, we were able to do a lot better job in protecting both lives and property within that particular community. And with that, that in a nutshell is I basically what we're going to be doing and some information pertaining to the radar. The only other thing that I might mention regarding the site is, is that one other thing that will be going on there, and some questions II had come up about it and that is the launching of a small instrument package twice a day. What we call an upper air sounding. And I might point out that the balloon that will be released is about twice the size II of, and by the way this is what will go right here. Will be released twice a day from a balloon, or carry a balloon that's about twice the size of this screen and just for informational purposes. Here's an example of the little instrument package that it will carry. This particular piece of II equipment right here is only a shelter for parabolic reflector in there that does not have any radiating characteristics at all. All it's doing is it's tracking a little radio signal that comes from this instrument right ,' here. If you've ever heard of a radio..., that's what it's called. So, with that I'll, unless you have any questions. Batzli: What happens to the instrument once the balloon - decides to come ,, down? Larry Predwick: The instrument actually is carried aloft, it gets up to I sometimes as high as 50,000 to 60,000 feet. There is a- parachute that's connected to it and whenever the balloon bursts, then the instrument is brought back to ground via this parachute. And normally that's anywhere 1 from 50 to 60 miles down wind and we get about half of these, not half but maybe 40% of these are returned. You'll find on the side of this it says, Notice to the Finder. This instrument is the property of the U.S. Government and explains what it is and inside of it there's a little I mailing package and we just simply ask people to drop the entire package inside the mailing package and give it to the postal service and they send it back. And they're reconditioned and re- released again. The only ones 1 we generally don't get back are the ones that go into mountains and the ones that we release off the east coast of the United States. Those we rarely see. Any other questions? II Batzli: Are you going to address the issues regarding public health? II Planning Commission Meeting May 19, 1993 - Page 5 ' Larry Predwick: If you'd like me to do that now, I'd be more than happy till Batzli: Why don't you give us an overview. Larry Predwick: One of the things I think that is a misconception about II the radar equipment that we're using is that, first of all the system is in what we call a volume coverage type of scanning mode. In other words, th lowest elevation at which the antenna can come down to is a half degree above the horizontal. And then the majority of the time, approximately 5 minutes out of every 6, the antenna is actually raised looking above the horizon. The way these types of radars operate is that they emit a short pulse of energy, literally measured in microseconds. That's a millionth c� a second. Then the radar transmitter turns off and it sits there and listens and waits for that signal to come back. And in a 24 hour period time, the radar is in a radiate mode less than 3 minutes out of the entir day. The rest of the time that radar is sitting there listening for signals to come back. The Weather Service has studied this extensively in terms of it's health aspects and this particular document right here, whill was issued in April, 1993, is a supplemental environmental assessment of the effects of electromagnetic radiation from a WSR 88 -0. Now I might point out in here that there are 30 pages of scientific studies that have' been conducted with regards to the bio effects of radiation on the human body and these are all referree studies I might point out. And the bottom line of all this is, is that at the face of the antenna, 20 feet away fro the actual face of the antenna, the average radiation emitted is .9 milowatts per square centimeter. At the ground level it's .000043. The standard by the American National Standards Institute is set at 5 milowatts per centimeter. I might point out that that is 8, no. That's 12 times less than the average amount of radiation that somebody would receive in E' minutes in the sun. In terms of the system that we're operating at ground level, that's 10,000 times the radiation level from that radar unit. I 10,000 times lower than the minimum standard established by the American National Standards Institute. Now the reason that we've done a lot of research into this was because people have asked the questions and also we've got employees that work there and we're just as concerned about the safety as people that are living in the area near this. I think it's saf to say, no pun intended, it's a pretty safe piece of equipment. Is that enough, or would you like me to go into more detail? 1 Batzli: We may have some more questions later. That's fine. Aanenson: Okay, I think it'd be appropriate then to maybe let Wayne go through and talk about the building layout itself and maybe just before he starts. Just to get you oriented a little bit. The access off of Lake Drive East, as mentioned. The radar, which will be, it's actually from t top of Audubon Road it will be about 107 feet which is another reason tha the staff felt good about this. This site is actually recessed and it's lowering the height and the impact of that tower. We'll be behind that II facing, actually facing Audubon. Then behind that, which is closer to Bluff Creek Estates, will be the upper air inflation building. So I'll let Wayne walk through all that. Wayne Perlenfein: Kate has done an excellent job. I'm Wayne Perlenfein with the architectural firm that's been hired...national standards building II Planning Commission Meeting II May 19, 1993 - Page 6 for this use. By way of clarification, there are 3 structures that will go I on this site in terms of buildings. Not 2. We have the major building, which is the research facility for the monitoring and forecasting of the weather... There's about 17,500 square feet. Behind it we have a I generator and storage building of approximately 800 square feet and then out in back we have the upper air inflation building, that you've been speaking about... So there are those 3 major structures. Besides the 2, II and you can ask the question later of Larry, the configuration of the two towers that sit on the site. One satellite and one...excess radar which is in the package... The building itself, the major building is a masonry building constructed of 3 types of brick. We've brought the sample that I the government typically uses for your consideration. A majority of the building is this, with some accent banding and then some 8 x 8 colors here. The storage building out back is constructed of the same material, the same I colors and the upper air inflation building is a block building with integral color that compliments it. 10 feet away you wouldn't know it's not brick and Kate has a picture that she... The building is straight forward. I might draw your attention to the fact that the site plan that II I'm looking at here is somewhat different from the one that you have in your packet. We had had a conversation with Kate after our submittal to you where we discussed landscaping location in a general sense and also in II the parking...respond very quickly so we increased the parking. And we've moved some landscaping...but other than that the site plan is what you have in your package there. It's a 10 acre site. Approximately 2 acres is II covered by either flexible pavement, asphalt parking or building structures. We have an open area...The elevation as shown on our drawing right now, to the finished floor is at 938 or roughly 38 feet. To the best of my understanding...given by the PUD people, Audubon Road is about 62. 1 Okay? So you can see that our building, you're going to look down onto it. The view that you see here, the perspective, is a frontal view. You're going to be looking at the back and Kate...so the building itself is I nestled, if you will, into the side of the hill. Non - obtrusive. It's down in the site...we're looking at a building height of about 15 feet. There are projections...so we're at approximately, if you stand on the pavement ,, on Audubon, the top of our building is 10 feet. So it's about eye level you're at 15 -16 feet above the roof. Ue believe that the landscaping provided by the PUD and the park development along Audubon will more than screen the building. The nexus radar tower, I forget the overall height of II that. Larry Predwick: Actually the height would be about 136 feet. I Wayne Perlenfein: Considering it's location, it's about the size of a water tower and will be projecting, because here again the position of the II site, it will be about 20 feet above the tree line. You're not going to have this symbol out there...That's pretty much it for the building... Batzli: Kate. Did you have a chance to look at these modified plans? II Aanenson: Yes. We talked about the parking. That's in the report specifically that we had mentioned, the maximum number of employees that 1 this building, they project to be 50, with 36 at one time. Obviously, there's going to be tours available so we felt that, this Code requires 80. II Planning Commission Meeting May 19, 1993 - Page 7 1 We felt that was much more than would be needed at the site so we felt th giving a variance allowing for 52 seemed appropriate for the. Batzli: But have you looked at this plan for compliance with your additional landscaping and things like that? ' Aanenson: No. We've talked about the 52 and he showed me where he was going to put them on. I haven't sat and physically looked to make sure II that's where they are but we talked about it. Wayne Perlenfein: The plan that you see here is the original plan the Weather Service presented to you in it's early stages about -a year, two II years ago. What we did is we classified the building to a research facility and did...so once it was reclassified as an office building, and it kind of falls between the area as to what you want to call it. 1 Aanenson: Your question is specifically, have I looked at that plan? Batzli: Yeah. ' Aanenson: No, but I told them where we wanted the parking over the phone so that's. 1 Wayne Perlenfein: And my answer is yes because this is exactly what was given to you a year or 2 ago and all we did was put it back on... 1 Batzli: But this plan comes after one in our packet? Aanenson: Correct. , Batzli: And there are other conditions which we're looking at and I'm wondering if this has satisfied those additional conditions? 1 Aanenson: No. There's some other ones too. It might be appropriate now just to go through some of those if you'd like. ' Batzli: Well let me ask the architect or the applicant. Have you looked at our staff report and is there any conditions in there that you don't ' agree with at this time? Wayne Perlenfein: I think that there's a, for lack of a better word, some tweaking that has to go on. Has to happen. For example, the matter of ho you define the amount of landscaping by your rules and regulations. We ra the numbers and it depends on, are you counting the development on site as being site landscaping or is it a separate entity altogether? If it is, we're overlandscaped so by your formula we don't need any landscaping. If' it is a separate issue by PUD regulations cannot be counted, then we're under landscaped. That's an issue we want to work with staff on to make them, we have to meet somewhere. So that's why we have not endeavored to relandscape the entire site after that submittal because we don't know to what degree the PUD landscaping is going to count or qualify. Batzli: Okay. Thank you. Kate. 1 1 Planning Commission Meeting May 19, 1993 - Page 8 Aanenson: Okay. Let me just talk about the concerns. Wayne talked about the parking issue that we've already addressed. The other issue is the landscaping._ When we put the PUD together, it was a requirement that they had to do perimeter landscaping and as part of the PUD do some unifying themes, street lighting, streetscape along that interior street. In addition, we put a requirement that each site would have to go through and provide a separate landscaping plan. We feel on this site that additional ' landscaping is required and we specifically mentioned again a lot of your view off of Audubon is not going to be seen because you're going to be looking over the top but we felt, looking from the interior of the street, Lake Drive, that additional landscaping should be placed on the front of ' that building. And we've recommended tree species on that. The other issue is, we have the requirement for fencing of rooftop equipment. In this circumstances we felt, it looked a little contrive to put the fence up there so what we had recommended is the hipped roof that's over the main entrance, that that roof, a canopy be carried over all 4 sides. It'd probably be easiest just to refer to this. If you look at this drawing, this element here with the fencing. We feel it'd be much more appropriate to take this feature and put this on all 4 perspectives where the roof equipment would be. To get the back view, where you're looking from Audubon. Instead of turning your back to that side altogether...and leave ' the fencing off and put the rooftop equipment...nice architectural feature so the back has a better appearance. Batzli: Have you taken a look at doing that? Wayne Perlenfein: The foodchain for this type of building, I can't make those changes without authorization from the contracting officer or my ' employer, Chanhassen Venture. We support, from an architectural perspective, landscaping the site. We support Kate's analysis of the front tier look to the front and back. We supported the idea of embellishment and redefining of this front in the areas of development, especially from the back and we have passed that on. So in the process...based on your request, will then go to my employer who will then pass it on to the federal government...and I'll work with staff to achieve. Batzli: The contracting officer is with which department? Wayne Perlenfein: The contracting officer is the people. Batzli: Which is? Larry Predwick: The Special Engineering Project Office. It's an element of the Department of Commerce. National Oceanic... Batzli: So you're getting funds from DOD but we're dealing with civilian, the Department of Commerce? Larry Predwick: Cepo does the design work or oversees or monitors the design work for the National Weather Service for all these agencies. The tri agencies that are involved, yes. r Batzli: Okay. So the contracting officer is civilian? 1 1 Planning Commission Meeting May 19, 1993 - Page 9 1 Larry Predwick: That's correct. Wayne Perlenfein: Basically, just for general knowledge, the federal constructs buildings two ways. They own where they come in with Big Brother and do their thing or they go through a private developer. This going to be leased back to them. So that's why we're getting involved... But we support it and look forward to being able to make the changes wherever it comes down to. 1 Aanenson: So just to go along with that, the fact that it's leased is one of the concerns that the staff had. Originally, when the Weather Service approached the city is that we wanted a leased building so there will be taxes paid on this property. It won't be a tax exempt property. Since it is leased, there will be taxes paid on that. The other issue was, we talked about the signs. The signs are in compliance. We'll have a monument sign which is one of the requirements of the PUD adjacent to Lak Drive. There was the Fire Marshal put in specific conditions specifically about the upper air inflation building and the fact that there is flammabil materials being stored there. That will have to be constructed per their specifications. The other condition that we have on here is that around the bottom of the radar tower for security reasons they do require fencinil around there. Again, more than likely you won't be able to see that fencing because of the topography but we do want that. There is a walking trail along there. We do want that to be a green vinyl type fencing. Other than that, we feel that the type, the construction of the building J1 being all brick. The materials as shown are consistent with the PUD and feel it's an attractive building. It will be attractive from the lakeside. Again, you're not going to see much of it from the Audubon Road view. Other than that we would recommend approval of the site plan with the conditions as amended as we've given you. The 15 conditions. We'd recommend approval. Batzli: Okay. This is a public hearing. If there's anyone else that would like to address the Commission, I ask that you come up to the microphone and give us your name and address for the record. And we invill your comments if you're here to ask questions or give us your comments tonight. Is there a motion to close the public hearing? Conrad moved, Scott seconded to close the public hearing. All voted in favor and the motion carried. The public hearing was closed. Batzli: Ladd,_I'm going to lead off with you but I want to ask one more question that I forgot to ask of the applicant. And that is, the balloon are hydrogen balloons, are they not? Larry Predwick: The gas that we put in them is hydrogen, yes. The , hydrogen is stored in the typical metal cylinders that you find, for example like a welding shop or anything like that. There's no bulk storall of hydrogen. And the only amount to be used would be whatever it would take to fill a balloon. A few cubic yards of gas to fill a balloon probably twice the size of that screen right there. Batzli: So that's stored indoors though? 1 II Planning Commission Meeting il May 19, 1993 - Page 10 I Larry Predwick: It's stored indoors. It's stored in a specially constructed facility to protect it from any risk of. Aanenson: It's stored in this part of the building. Yeah, and here's I where it showed how it's stored. Wayne Perlenfein: They store 14 cylinders is all. There's very limited 1 storage. We've given a list of the flammable... Larry Predwick: It meets National Fire Codes. Virtually all over the I country. Batzli: And you will have an emergency generator so you will be storing either diesel or gasoline? 1 Larry Predwick: Yes. ; Batzli: Okay. And where's that stored? Wayne Perlenfein: It's in a separate building directly behind this building, away from this... I Larry Predwick: It's right here. The radar has an emergency generator but it's inside one of the shelters that comes along with the equipment. And it's self contained and everything in the inside. Wayne Perlenfein: Next to the, we call it the EGG storage building is above ground... I Batzli: What kind of o v lame of diesel do you store there? I Larry Predwick: In the radar shelter there will be, about 250 gallons. It's enough to get us by for about 3 or 4 days. And in this one, not here. I'd say it's probably about a 500 or 600 gallon tank. Just estimating I right now. Batzli: Okay, Ladd. I Conrad: A few questions. Paul or Kate, who on the staff has signed off on the health risk? It appears that there's not much but who is? I'm not going to say it's good or bad or whatever but what person from staff has I read the 3 inch report and said everything's hunky dorey? Krauss: Well none of us you know is technically competent to sign off on I anything. However we have, it's probably fair to say, skimmed the documentation. When I first started talking to the Weather Service 4 years ago, because that's 3 or 4 years ago when it first came up. I asked that I question back then and got a huge presentation on it. A couple volumes of material. I've also had an opportunity to bounce it off of professional planning associated...various issues. Ionizing and non - ionizing radiation is one of them. They don't deal specifically with this use but near as I I can tell, the information was consistent with what I was reading. We're taking the information at face value. We think it was very well put 1 Planning Commission Meeting May 19, 1993 - Page 11 together and assembled and we didn't see any glaring holes in it but agaill were not experts in that area. Conrad: So who signs off and says that there is no health risk? Krauss: There's no need for anybody to sign off on anything. Conrad: But I just. , Batzli: He's using signing off euphemistically. Krauss: Well, if we're speaking in euphemisms, I mean you're talking aboLl what in our professional judgment and good conscience would be acceptable. Conrad: Well, you're not a health care expert so I guess I wouldn't ask 1 you. Krauss: No. We're certainly not competent to do that. Conrad: They're presented a deal and I trust that some documentation's been done and there isn't a risk. I haven't read it and I just would lik� somebody to say, yes. Based on looking at the conclusion, the residents who are here, that there is not, in our perception. Aanenson: There was a neighborhood meeting held April 28th. Conrad: And I'm sure the neighbors. Aanenson: And at that meeting there were quite a few other experts, including a doctor that provided much more detail, technical information. We didn't have that here at this meeting. That's why we had a separate neighborhood meeting. So I think the comfort level of the technology was ' increased during that meeting. At least it was for myself too. Going through and explaining how this works and hazards and that sort of thing. Larry Predwick: If I could add something here. This is a document that i prepared by Stanford Research Institute, which is an organization that is a branch of Stanford University. And they were hired by the primary contractors on this project to locate the most desireable sites to meet t technical standards for siting this piece of equipment. And part of this document is an environmental impact study and this is done for each and every site. This one right here happens to be the one for the site off of I forgot the name of the road. Aanenson: Audubon. Larry Predwick: Audubon Road. And what it confirms is all of the other studies that have been done is that the radiation level is significatiy, and to the tune of approximately 10,000 times below the standard. The . occupational standard set by the American National Standards Institute. American National Standards Institute called ANSI. Established a level which they felt was an acceptable level from an occupational risk point of view. And what the study's in this particular document and the other one that I brought with me, that's supported by just enormous amounts of I Planning Commission Meeting May 19, 1993 - Page 12 II research, is that the radiation level from this particular device, at I ground level, is 10,000 times below that occupational standard established by ANSI. I Mancino: What happens when you have other radiation coming from TV towers or radio and you have them all converging in the same place? Does that happen? I Larry Predwick: Standing in this room right now there's electromagnetic radiation coming from, if we put a radio receiver down here, we'd probably pick up a dozen stations from Minneapolis and who knows how many from I surrounding communities. There's radiation from the atmosphere on a continuous basis, produced either artificially or natural. Simple fact of the matter is, this particular type of equipment right here produces what's called non- ionizing radiation. Which means then that the own net effect is I that if you were to receive radiation emitted by this device, the only effect is it would heat up the subject in which, that's being radiated. Maybe I can touch on this. This is how much radiation you would receive I in 6 minutes if you were in the middle of the summertime, under the sunshine. 80 milowatts per square centimeter in that 6 minute period of time. The ANSI standard is 5 for occupational safety. New microwave oven I is .0060 10 feet away from it. Cordless telephone .00027 and our's at 85 feet from the base of the antenna is .00023. So the point being I guess is, when you asked about is this, in relation to the standard that's been set by the American National Standards Institute, is it is considerable to the point of 10,000 times below their standard in terms of occupational safety. I Conrad: I'm not trying to turn into an expert on this, because I have to trust the experts but with those numbers, the only thing that I'm trying to clarify is a resident may be there for 50 years and this is on 24 hours a day. And that's the only impact that I'm trying to assess. II Larry Predwick: But remember, the Y h radar is not radiating 24 hours a day. The radar is radiating, at the most, only 3 minutes collectively out of the I entire 24 hour period and 80% of that time it's radiating up into the atmosphere not even horizontally. The lowest elevation angle at which the radar can come to is a half degree above horizontal. It is physically I prohibited by a metal ring from going below that. It physically cannot do that. So when you say it's radiating. Yes, it's radiating but it's radiating less than 3 minutes out of the entire day. What it does is it I sends out a short pulse of energy for just a few microseconds. That's a millionth of a second. The rest of that time it's sitting there listening for that signal to come back. I Batzli: Have you, it sounds and I don't know if this is true or not. It sounds like you've perhaps done these presentations to other cities that have installed these types of radars. I Larry Predwick: We have one in Kansas City that's actually closer to a residential area than the one here. I Batzli: And in those developments, have those communities brought in experts to take a look at the findings and say? 1 . Planning Commission Meeting May 19, 1993 - Page 13 ' Larry Predwick: Absolutely. Okay, and they were more than satisfied will them. The City of Pleasantville, Missouri. Which is about 35 miles southeast of downtown Kansas City. Batzli: The City brought in someone? ' Larry Predwick: The City reviewed these documents, yes. And for whatever it's worth, that is a developing subdivision for which the developer has I indicated that there has been absolutely no impact on the development and the sale of the property. As a matter of fact, they've raised the price of the property and it's still selling. And there have been none of the residents in the area that have, and quite frankly it's going to be, it's' less landscaped than this particular site here will be. Batzli: Okay, thank you. Ladd, you know there are EMI, RFI, to use electro mechanical lingo, type experts in the Twin Cities. And clearly they'd be able to look at that stuff and say, yeah. This stuff is accurate or yeah, this is kind of what the power level would be of a site like thill I mean are you looking for an expert to be retained by the City for some III money and say, yeah. These studies are accurate. We're aware of them and this is the fair scoop. Conrad: It sounds like the problem is so minor. Yet on the other hand, I'm not sure. And that's why I was asking staff if we had a health exper or somebody that could look and just come to a bottom line conclusion and say yeah. Based on what I've read. I don't want to say that it's, I believe them. I have to believe right now that it's probably pretty safe but I guess it is a risk. 1 Batzli: I worked at a company that built monitors for computers and you know several times a month we'd get letters from people saying, is it saf to sit in front of this monitor all day. And most of the studies say ye A couple of them come out and say no, and what do you do? Nobody knows what the long term effect of some of this stuff is. They're still studyin it. And if you believe the power levels that they're talking about, then it's awfully minimal compared to just walking around everyday. But you'r right. We could hire somebody to say, yes. These numbers are accurate. You know, given the kind of power signal they're generating and their modulation pulse with or whatever they're doing there, you know they kick I out a pulse and then sit there and listen for however many microseconds. And you know, is that what we're going to be looking for? Somebody that can take a look at that. ' Conrad: I don't know. I guess I was looking for a Public Safety Director to read it or somebody that was on staff but, that just went through that il not 300 pages but to reassure me. Batzli: But they don't have anybody on staff that's going to be that mucli of a. Conrad: I'm interested in what everybody else has to say and again I don' want to react. It just seems like it might be prudent to have somebody take a look at that... The only other question I have is, the color of t Planning Commission Meeting May 19, 1993 - Page 14 dome on the radar. The picture you passed around was white. Is that what the color is? Larry Predwick: There are actually 4 different possible colors that could be used but white is the predominant color because I think the architect maybe can confirm this. But by and large structures of that type are less obtrusive with that kind of color against the background skies opposed for example, there is color that's green. The only places where we're using that is in heavily forested areas that are usually conifers. Conrad: So what's the color proposed for this site? Wayne Perlenfein: It's white. Conrad: It is white. Because? Wayne Perlenfein: You will notice it less than the other colors. Conrad: What are the other options besides green? Larry Predwick: There's a tan and a green. I'm sorry, I should have said there was 3, not 4. Conrad: Jeff, what do you think about that in terms of standing out? Farmakes: Well I usually like my radar towers... I had comments on that. It would seem to me to be the same as any other water tower. Conrad: Well water towers usually stand up. They're atrocious colors typically and it's like we're trying to make them stand out and not blend in. Farmakes: Usually they take a horizon color that minimizes the view under certain light. Obviously with all the different weather we have here, you're going to, a light blue water tower is going to stick out on a gray day. So it just depends on, I would agree that white would probably be the minimum. Batzli: Tan is, you've seen Tonka Bay's water tower? Isn't that the tan one? I mean that thing just looks terrible sitting there. Conrad: Yeah. And the blue's. Batzli: No offense Tonka Bay. Larry Predwick: I should point out that we are somewhat limited in the colors we can choose because of the pigments that are in paint can serve as a reflector of the signal that's being transmitted by the system so we do have a limitation and that's one of the reasons why we just have gone with those three. In addition is the fact that the aesthetic of any other color really we found, from an architectural point of view, don't pan out very well. Planning Commission Meeting May 19, 1993 - Page 17 Aanenson: The preliminary one. That's what Dave's saying. This final o that he's drawing for you right now, that's going to the Council on Monda night. Ledvina: And then the other area that I'm concerned with relates to the landscaping plan. Given the grading plan that we see here, the existing trees that the developer shows are totally removed from the site. There's no possible way of saving one of those trees. Aanenson: The trees along the back fence line? Toward Bluff Creek Estates? 3> Ledvina: Right. Aanenson: We raised that as an issue that we'd like to see those n c preserved. J Ledvina: This would be to the south then? 1.1 Aanenson: Yeah. Straight south along, actually they're in this area right in here. The tree line back in here. 1i Krauss: The trees follow the old fence line from the... Ledvina: And those trees will be saved? Aanenson: We'd like to see if we can work around them. ui Hempel: We believe the grades can be adjusted to save the stand of trees along that fence line property. Ledvina: And well I guess just in general, I'm concerned about the 1g landscaping plan. Essentially we really don't have anything and. Aanenson: Well, they just submitted what was required under the PUD, whit we'd already seen. We wanted an additional site plan for this. Ledvina: So what we have in this set of plans is what's required under ti PUD? Aanenson: What the, yeah for the perimeter. What Ryan submitted as part of the PUD requirements. Ledvina: Okay. Wayne Perlenfein: If I could clarify that. What we had submitted is our interpretation of how you guys...putting landscaping on the site. If we are in error, we will increase it. Or if by... Krauss: Yeah, I think that's the bottom line here. There's actually two sets of landscaping. The one we thought the developer was...The other one was on a site by site basis and... 1 Planning Commission Meeting May 19, 1993 - Page 18 Batzli: Well in your mind, should the perimeter landscaping count towards ' partial satisfaction of what they have to install? Krauss: No, it does not and in fact the... Batzli: Okay. Matt, the outcome of this grading. You know, just grade the thing flat. Remove 10 feet of dirt. Is there something that you think should be done rather than doing it that way? Ledvina: Well yeah. I really think that the landform should be saved as much as possible here. We're taking, granted it's an open area but we ' generally like to see development that's sensitive to the existing contours and it seems to make sense. We don't like to have our landscape totally changed as development comes in. And also from the developer, I don't see ' the value in moving all this dirt. Obviously if there's additional phases down the road, maybe that can be justified but it's, as I look at this as a single lot development, and I didn't really have a good handle as to what, you know how it fits into the grand scheme of things but I just don't care for the way it's laid out. I think there should be less grading. Wayne Perlenfein: ...the grade elevation of the proposed building...more than willing to work with staff to accomplish that. Ledvina: Well I think that would be an important start. There's all kinds ' of problems with the way I see the neighboring property lines and essentially you're digging this thing down into this hole and of course to the north and east, this will open,up but still. Just it doesn't look right to me. ' Batzli: Kate, is that current map up there oriented with north up? Before you just take it down. ' Aanenson: I've got a grading one that will give you contours. I think there's a lot of history that we should talk about before we talk about ' changing the grade. I was going to change the contours. This would be south and this is the railroad tracks. Audubon Road... As you recall, we put this all slopes towards this Outlot A, which we preserved. That the City's going to purchase. We changed the flood plain to put in a NURP pond which we're draining down towards to pretreat the water before it goes into the flood plain. When we looked at this top initially we knew this would be one office building, there may be another oriented towards Audubon Road where there's higher visibility but we envisioned this park as an industrial park. When this user is an office use and it's a beautiful building, it certainly would make sense to look at this. But if it were an ' industrial type building, which a lot of these uses are going to be. An industrial with an office component, I'm not sure, with maybe larger spanses of walls, I'm not sure we'd want to be seeing quite that much of the building. So it's kind of user issue with that too. And raising what ' it does to the rest of the visibility. Some of the other sites to the residents to the south. As far as some of the other utility issues, Dave maybe can speak to some of those. ' Hempel: It was my suggestion in the staff report to raise it up 4 feet or so just to serve as a sanitary sewer for Audubon Road instead of waiting 1 Planning Commission Meeting May 19, 1993 - Page 19 ' for the interior improvements to be done. And in conversations with the II civil engineer, he had some concern with the driveway grade out to the proposed street of Lake Drive West. They were getting up close to 7% and there will be an occasional tractor trailer entering and exiting the site' and he had some concerns with the driveway grade if we do raise the building so. The intent now is to bring sanitary sewer in from the west to be able to serve this building so my concern I guess was raising the building has been resolved essentially. As far as the grades go out therl I think they are counting on this fill material for future use. I'm not saying they can't go back to the drawing board because this isn't cast in stone yet to adjust other grades out there to make up the less cutting. 1 Ledvina: Well if there's less cutting here, there will be less filling on another site and maybe that's...that way. I don't know. I guess when I see 10 acres totally graded, it makes me nervous. But again, I didn't ha the perspective of the whole development in that, frankly that happened before my time so I'm not understanding what all happened back then. So I guess in general I would support an amendment that would raise the grade 11 the building let's say 6 feet. I think that's a start. And I think the soil borings can be adjusted down the road. When the other parcels are developed. 1 Batzli: What do you think of staff's argument that we might not want to look at the building. I mean we're trying to save landform but maybe there's a corresponding viewpoint of the neighbors next door that if they ' can be dug down into a hollow, great. Ledvina: Well, I don't know. I'd rather not look at a roof if I was driving by. I'd rather see the building that's there, and this is an attractive building. Wayne Perlenfein: You're going to be hard pressed to see the roof. You'r' 100 feet away. You have to look through the development of a parkway, bike trail. You're 15 feet below...and now you want to bring it up to the roof... 1 Batzli: We don't have an elevation view from the road do we? Aanenson: Yes we do. ' Batzli: Ask and we got it. Aanenson: This one, you'll have to put it in perspective. We did this during the, when we put the Chan Business Center together. This would be Audubon Road here and this is showing a...kind of give you an idea. ' Batzli: This is going to be a one story building? Aanenson: Yes. So you'd be below that. ' Ledvina: What's the distance between the road and the building? Batzli: In our case Kate. Not in that drawing. 1 II Planning Commission Meeting II May 19, 1993 - Page 20 Aanenson: Oh from this one? Oh, it's 100 feet. II Batzli: How far away from the road is this building? I Aanenson: I have it in the report here, hang on. Hempel: It must be about 440 approximately. II Aanenson: Yeah. 300 plus I think is what. Batzli: Okay. II Ledvina: No further comments. I Batzli: Okay, Joe. Scott: So what I'm hearing as far as the, Dave you can help me out here. The grades for the street out in front has already been set. If the I building is moved up 4 feet, that's where you get the 7% grade from the street, for the semi's and all that kind of stuff. II Hempel: That's correct. Scott: I understand that. We're 400 feet from Audubon. But in my II mind I'm thinking of the nexrad tower is 130 some feet off the ground. Was there any objection or questions or so forth by the residents in the area, any questions about that particular visual impact? I Aanenson: There was some and we put a picture in there showing what it would be in relation to a water tower. Give you scale and Dave had told me that's a similar height to some of the water towers we have in the city. I There was a concern of whether or not it would be lit, and it's my understanding that there's just a small red light on the top. - Scott: There's a light but there's no beacon. I Aanenson: Right. I Larry Predwick: That may not even be required on this particular tower because the only requirements are when they're at least 200 feet or higher. I Scott: Okay, that's an FAA requirement. Larry Predwick: That's correct. Any tower that's over 200 feet are II required to be lit. In this particular case this will not be anywhere near air space. Controlled air space. We probably will not have any requirement to light it. I Scott: The only additional comment I'd like to make is, I contacted a person from Crossroads Medical Center who had a background with the Armed Services and he had provided me with a huge stack of, you guy's probably II know what the acronym NIOSH is. What is that? NIOSH. I think there's a National Institute of Safety something or other. But anyway. II II Planning Commission Meeting May 19, 1993 - Page 21 1 Larry Predwick: Oh, ANSI. II Scott: No; it wasn't ANSI. But anyway, some reports that I had read through and it looked like the Kansas City facility was studied and a couple of other ones and it was, the findings were the same. The radiatill levels were miniscule and so forth, so I mean personally I don't have a problem with that. And I really appreciated your comments on the angle of the beam with regard to the horizon. That was very, very helpful and I ' appreciated your efforts in simplifying this so we could at least get a grasp of it. I support the project. I don't have any further comments. Batzli: Okay, thank you. Jeff. II Farmakes: Well first of all, I think I'd like to say that in this world change, it's nice to know that the government can still come up with an acronym for an unbelieveable amount of things. I agree with Ladd to star out with. I think it would be prudent for the city at least to look into or follow up where this radar is and in reading the study, or the I information that we have here, it says the general public. Then it clarifies or quantifies it by saying that, in a few instances some people have problems with it. What are those problems? People get radio reception in their fillings or I mean, what is it? It doesn't clarify whil those problems are. Is there a response to that? Larry Predwick: Are you directing the question to us? 1 Farmakes: Yes. Larry Predwick: I think maybe some of this may be due to the fact that I there's been a lot of media attention to some of the aspects of electro magnetic radiation along high voltage power lines and things like that this. There's been a fair amount of publicity related to that. And I think that things have to be put into perspective. This type of system an the radiation that it emits is entirely different. For example, labeling the...power line is miles so that the bioeffects are, in 'other words the entire area is placed within the effect of that wave. We're talking here I about a wavelength of 10 centimeters. Entirely different. We're talking, there's no way to compare the two in terms of making an analysis between I • the effects of let's say, what you may have seen in a lot of unreferreed science magazines, if you will. As opposed to the type of equipment that we're operating here. A lot of these type of systems operate in a continuous radar operating mode. Our radiating mode. Microwave towers fo' example that transmit data communications on a continuous basis. Are in a continuously operating transmit mode. This one is not. It's only operating in a transmit mode less than 3 minutes a day and most of that II time it's looking up in the air. Farmakes: So there is no substantiated complaints anywhere where this I radar currently operates? Larry Predwick: There is absolutely no evidence to suggest or to support linking between any health hazard with this type of equipment. II Planning Commission Meeting 11 May 19, 1993 - Page 22 Farmakes: Irregardless I am going to disqualify myself. I don't feel that my background qualifies me in any way, shape or form to digest this on a medical basis. On the face of it, it doesn't seem like it's a problem at all. They've brought in information and Stanford certainly is a well known ' University but I feel uncomfortable that if I nod on this thing, yes. It's not a health hazard and I'm not qualified to say that. I don't know whether or not the City wants to pursue getting a second opinion of that. Either going to the University or any of other health people but it seems to me it couldn't hurt. Although it may cost us a few dollars. I agree on the landscaping. It could be more, particularly to the front view of the building. Break it up a bit more. The other question I have is, are there any phased additions to this building in the future? These 10 acres. Wayne Perlenfein: No. ' Farmakes: Okay. so what we see is what we get here in the future. ' Wayne Perlenfein: Absolutely. Farmakes: I like the fact that it fits in, as staff has said with the openness. It seems like, in relationship to the amount of land that it ' has, to the amount of building and impervious surface, it should be a nice addition to Chanhassen. And I'm just curious. When you refer to your location, you don't refer to it as Chanhassen. You refer to it as ' Minneapolis -St. Paul. Is that, do we get a credit anywhere if this building goes up? ' Larry Predwick: Well all the documents say Chanhassen on them. This office is serving the Minneapolis metropolitan area. Or the Twin Cities. That comes from being a Kansas Citian and not knowing the local... ' Batzli: So when the local weather reports talk about having received a forecast from the National Weather Service, will they talk about it being in Chanhassen. 111 Larry Predwick: Well, in Kansas City they refer to the National Weather Service office in Pleasant Hill. ' Farmakes: Can we then add Beautiful Chanhassen...Those two issues that I discussed are really the only two that I saw here of any concern. Staff touched upon the roofline and I'm not going to talk about that further. As ' far as that equipment, screening and so on. It would seem to me that based on City Council reactions to some of the landscaping issues, we should probably pursue that at least in front of the building where it seems more opened up. And pursue that a little bit better but again, I don't see that '' as being a big problem here. Batzli: Okay, thank you. Nancy. Mancino: My only new comments would be, there are two towers. The ron tower and the NLHRSC tower. What are those? ' Larry Predwick: The ones that are identified as a ron tower is only a small little tower that you might find standing next to a lot of houses 11 Planning Commission Meeting May 19, 1993 - Page 23 with TV antennas stuck on. Really all we're using that for is to get an II anomometer and wind vane up above ground level sensing local wind conditions. - Mancino: So that's on the ground? ' Larry Predwick: The base of the tower is only, it's like about 12 inches on it's side. And normally they're set in just a concrete base and they stick up above the ground about 20 -25 feet. Just to get local atmospheri conditions at that particular site. The other one, there's a picture floating around here someplace that shows the other equipment that's then and that's a small little satellite receiving antenna. Here's a picture it, if you want to pass that around. Would it be a fair thing to say that it's about my height? Mancino: And these would be installed right away with the building? Larry Predwick: Yes, they're part of the operation. ' Mancino: Okay. I have no other questions. My comment about the public safety issue is that I don't know enough. I'm not qualified to talk abou the safety concerns. I always like to have a third party, non - interested expert who will go over the material and give an opinion. So I would be in favor of doing that. Landscaping, I also agree that we should do an individual site landscaping plan in conjunction, in addition with the PUD II plan. That's it. Batzli: Okay, thank you. I guess my questions have all been answered ji through the meeting here. Just to put in my two cents worth as far as so of the outstanding issues. I would like to see the change made to the roof element, as you suggest. And I don't know what we do if the contracting officer comes back and says no, there's no money in the project for that. II That's not an acceptable change but that's something I guess we cross. Aanenson: Then the project doesn't get approved. Batzli: Landscaping, I think there needs to be additional landscaping. I think we should work with the applicant. Maybe, in view of saving the trees on the southern part, or wherever that stand of trees is and the general PUD landscaping. I think we look at that reasonably. I think the parking lot issue is fine to give them the variance. I don't see why we need to make them have 80 spots. It's not truly a variance, is that what you were saying? Aanenson: Well it's a waiver...I mentioned that you can give a waiver foil proof of parking so. Technically I guess we should call it a waiver. Batzli: The color of the bricks, you did get in the new revised one. Is" that right? Aanenson: Yes. Number 14. Batzli: Okay. The hydrogen storage and those types of issues are include in the Fire Marshal memo, right? 1 Planning Commission Meeting May 19, 1993 - Page 24 Aanenson: Correct. Batzli: I -think it will be an asset to Chanhassen. It's low intensity use. I think it's a good use for this type of area in Chanhassen. I'd ' also recommend that we get an expert, someone like Vern Albertson at the University of Minnesota who's the assistant head of the electrical engineering department. Someone like that who can come in and say, yeah. These levels are accurate and they're well below levels, you know. National levels is I think all we need. There are other consultants in the Twin Cities as well that do that exact thing. But someone like Vern Albertson. He's, obviously at the University of Minnesota, he's about as neutral as we ' can get. As far as the elevation of the building, I wouldn't be adverse to having staff work with the architect to look at that but I'm concerned that if we raise this, we end up raising the other buildings and that's something we don't want to do. And so I'm not sure what we do about that. Do you have any thoughts on that Paul? I mean is this going to be a big deal if we start raising the elevation of all the other lots in this PUD? Krauss: I think it's fair to say nothing is as simple as it might seem. You're dealing with a site that has to balance and it's something that we can go back and look at. We'll try to work towards that. We understand ' where you'd like to go but at the same time we'd like the ability to make a recommendation to City Council based on what, we can certainly move in that direction. That it be looked at. ' Batzli: Okay. Those were my comments. Is there a motion? Conrad: Yes. I would make a motion that Planning Commission recommend ' approval of Site Plan #93 -4 for the National Weather Service subject to the conditions listed in the staff report 1 thru 15 with two additional conditions. Number 16. Staff to review the health issue and seek out a ' third party opinion. Condition number 17. Staff to review the impact of elevating the building site by 6 feet and report the pros and cons to the City Council. Batzli: Is there a second? Mancino: Second. ' Conrad moved, Mancino seconded that the Planning Commission recommend approval of Site Plan #93 -4 for the National Weather Service subject to the following conditions: 1. The final plat of CBC -Phase I shall be recorded with Carver County. 2. Detailed storm drainage calculations for a 10 year storm event shall be submitted to the City for review and approval. Depending on the storm sewer calculations, the City may require additional catch basins and /or pipe. 3. A revised site grading plan incorporating the final approved grading ' plan for C8C -Phase I, including the trail location through the site, shall be resubmitted to the City for review and approval. 1 Planning Commission Meeting May 19, 1993 - Page 25 4. The proposed site grading along the south property line shall be revised to save the existing stand of trees. 5. All landscaping materials, i.e. trees and shrubs, shall be planted outside the proposed street right -of -way and not over any public utility lines, i.e. sanitary sewer lines and watermains. 6. The site plan shall be amended to show the additional right -of -way all drainage and utility easements that will be conveyed to the City wit" the final plat of CBC -Phase I (17 feet of right -of -way and 25 feet of drainage and utility easement). 7. The property will be responsible for its share of the pending Upper Bluff Creek Trunk Sanitary Sewer and Water Improvement costs (Project No. 91 -17A). 8. Grading and site preparation for the Weather Service will only be allowed after the underlying PUD and development contract has been 11 recorded. Surety will be in place for the grading of both sites. 9. The landscaping between Lake Drive and the NWS building should be a combination of deciduous and conifer trees, with some ornamental placed in an informal setting. Additional landscaping for the buffe strips should be deciduous trees including more Sugar Maples, Lindens, Marshall Ash and conifers should include more Austrian Pines and Spruces. 10. Signs require a separate permit and shall be consistent as shown on the site plan dated April 16, 1993. 11. Compliance with the conditions as stated in the memo from the Fire Marshal dated May 12, 1993. ' 12. Compliance with the conditions in the memo from the Building Official dated May 10, 1993. ' 13. The hipped roof entrance canopy shown over the main entrance shall be placed over the two front entrances. In addition, two hipped canopi shall be placed on the rear of the building to provide screening for the roof top equipment. 14. Fencing around the Nexrad Radar shall be green vinyl. The color of the brick on all of the buildings shall be brown and tan. 15. A waiver to the parking standards shall be given; 52 parking stalls shall be provided based on the maximum number of employees as 50 wit 36 generally working at one time. If the number of employees changes, the parking will be re- evaluated and more parking may be required. 16. Staff shall review the health issue and seek out a third party 11 opinion. 1 1 Planning Commission Meeting May 19, 1993 - Page 26 1 17. Staff shall review the impact of elevating the building site by 6 feet and report the pros and cons to the City Council. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Batzli: When does this go to City Council? Aanenson: It will be on June 14th. Based on the conditions. They had ' wanted to get on the first one in June. The next one in May but based on the conditions, we need additional time. PUBLIC HEARING: U.S. WEST FOR A SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR A 16' X 19' ADDITION TO THE EXISTING CITY OF CHANHASSEN PUMP HOUSE NO. 6 ON PROPERTY ZONED PUD, PLANNED UNIT ' DEVELOPMENT AND LOCATED JUST EAST OF CHAN VIEW AND WEST 77TH STREET AND NORTH OF HIGHWAY 101. (Matt Ledvina did not take part in discussion or voting on this issue due to a conflict of interest.) ' Paul Krauss presented the staff report on this item. Batzli: But the City itself, I mean this is an addition to a city structure but the city won't own it. It will be. ' Krauss: No, we do own the building. We own the property. It's being leased. ' Batzli: Okay. Does the applicant wish to address the Commission at all? You're fully invited to if you'd like to do so. t (The applicant made a comment from the audience which was not heard on the tape.) ' Batzli: Have you taken a look at our staff report. There's several conditions. Now do these conditions, since we own the building, apply to us or does it apply to U.S. West as the applicant? ' Krauss: Well as I understand it I believe U.S. West is going to be making the improvements. ' Hempel: I believe they're making the improvements. (The applicant made another comment which was not heard.) Batzli: We have in, as one of our conditions, a pitched roof shall be used as shown in Scheme B. ' Applicant: ...the existing building has a flat roof. In Scheme A, they're adding on to the existing building with a flat roof. B and C is adding onto the existing building and putting a pitched roof over the whole thing. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1