4.3 West Wastewater Treatement Facility CUP
Request for
City Council Action
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT REQUESTOR: MEETING DATE:
Planning City Planner Licht 9 May 2022
PRESENTER(s) REVIEWED BY: ITEM #:
City Planner Licht City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty
4.3 – West WWTF CUP
STRATEGIC VISION
MEETS: THE CITY OF OTSEGO:
Is a strong organization that is committed to leading the community through innovative
communication.
X Has proactively expanded infrastructure to responsibly provide core services.
Is committed to delivery of quality emergency service responsive to community needs and
expectations in a cost-effective manner.
Is a social community with diverse housing, service options, and employment opportunities.
Is a distinctive, connected community known for its beauty and natural surroundings.
AGENDA ITEM DETAILS
RECOMMENDATION:
City staff recommends approval of a Conditional Use Permit amendment for the W-WTF expansion and
improvement project.
ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT? IS A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED?
No
Yes, held by Planning Commission on 2 May 2022.
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
The existing West Wastewater Treatment Facility (W-WWTF), located at 7551 Lancaster Avenue east of
Labeaux Avenue and south of 77th Street, has been in service since 2005 and is nearing its original rated
capacity. In accordance with the 2018 City of Otsego Wastewater Master Plan, a project to expand the
treatment capacity from 600,000 gallons per day to 1,750,000 gallons per day is proposed. This is an
increase of 6,572 Residential Equivalent Connections (RECs). In addition to capacity expansion, it is the
City’s desire to reduce odors, traffic, and noise from facility operations experienced by the adjacent
residential neighborhood and City park. This is being done through the design of a new treatment process
and associated indoor waste solids loading facility, as well as relocation of an administration building and
long-term site access.
The design for the project includes an upgraded preliminary treatment building, a new fine screening
building, upgraded secondary biological treatment process, membrane biological treatment, UV
disinfection, and low energy cascade aeration of water before discharge to Otsego Creek. By utilizing
membrane treatment, the discharge water quality will further improve. The waste solids storage tank,
which had generated odors in the past was removed from operation in 2020 and is no longer needed for
storage services with this upgrade. The waste solids loading will be enclosed within a building and
additional odor control implemented to mitigate odors from loading operations. Completion of the W-
WWTF improvement project will allow the City to continue to meet the wastewater treatment needs as
planned residential and business growth continues. The upgraded facility will also provide the ability to
meet current and future regulatory requirements, make operations more efficient, and improve land use
compatibility.
City staff hosted a neighborhood meeting on 22 March 2022 to provide information and answer questions
regarding the W-WWTF improvement project. Notice of the meeting was sent to property owners within
350 feet of the W-WWTF lot consistent with a public hearing notice. The meeting was attended by one
resident from the SunRay Farms neighborhood whose lot is located south of the proposed Administration
Building and a member of the family that owns the rural parcel between the W-WWTF lot and 73rd Street.
The proposed improvements require consideration of a Conditional Use Permit amendment to allow for
the facility expansion. A public hearing to consider the CUP amendment was held by the Planning
Commission at their meeting on 2 May 2022 at 7:00PM. One resident spoke at the public hearing with
regards to the hours of operation. The Planning Commission had no comments. The public hearing was
closed and the Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval of the CUP amendment.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
▪ Planning Report dated 28 April 2022
▪ Findings of Fact and Decision
POSSIBLE MOTION
PLEASE WORD MOTION AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO APPEAR IN THE MINUTES:
Motion to approve a Conditional Use Permit amendment for the Otsego W-WWTF subject to the
conditions as stated within the findings of fact and decision as presented.
BUDGET INFORMATION
FUNDING: BUDGETED:
N/A
N/A
TPC
The Planning Company
PLANNING REPORT
3601 Thurston Avenue
Anoka, MN 55303
763.231.5840
TPC@PlanningCo.com
TO: Otsego Planning Commission
FROM: D.Daniel Licht, AICP
REPORT DATE: 28 April 2022
RE: Otsego -Utilities; W-WTF Capacity Expansion
TPC FILE: 101.01
BACKGROUND
The existing West Wastewater Treatment Facility (W-WTF), located at 7551 Lancaster Avenue
east of La beaux Avenue and south of 77th Street, has been in service since 2005 and is nearing
its original rated capacity. In accordance with the 2018 City of Otsego Wastewater Master Plan,
a project to expand the treatment capacity from 600,000 gallons per day to 1,750,000 gallons
per day is proposed. This is an increase of 6,572 Residential Equivalent Connections (RECs). In
addition to capacity expansion, it is the City's desire to reduce odors, traffic, and noise from
facility operations experienced by the adjacent residential neighborhood and City park. This is
being done through the design of a new treatment process and associated indoor waste solids
loading facility, as well as relocation of an administration building and long-term site access.
The design for the project includes an upgraded preliminary treatment building, a new fine
screening building, upgraded secondary biological treatment process, membrane biological
treatment, UV disinfection, and low energy cascade aeration of water before discharge to
Otsego Creek. By utilizing membrane treatment, the discharge water quality will further
improve. The waste solids storage tank, which had generated odors in the past was removed
from operation in 2020 and is no longer needed for storage services with this upgrade. The
waste solids loading will be enclosed within a building and additional odor control implemented
to mitigate odors from loading operations.
The proposed improvements require consideration of a Conditional Use Permit amendment to
allow for the facility expansion. A public hearing to consider the CUP amendment has been
noticed for the Planning Commission meeting on 2 May 2022 at 7:00PM.
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CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AMENDMENT
FINDINGS OF FACT & DECISION
APPLICANT: City of Otsego
APPLICATION: Request to amend the conditional use permit for the West Wastewater Treatment Facility.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: 9 May 2022
FINDINGS: Based upon review of the application and evidence received, the Otsego City Council now makes
the following findings of fact:
A. The legal description of the property is Lot 1, Block 1, Sunray Farms 3rd Addition.
B. The property lies within the West Sewer District and is guided institutional land uses by the 2012
Otsego Comprehensive Plan, as amended.
C. The property is zoned INS, Institutional District.
D. The City is proposing to expand capacity and make improvements at the W-WWTF that require
consideration of amendment to the approved Conditional Use Permit for the property.
E. The Planning Commission and City Council must take into consideration the possible effects of the
request with their judgment based upon (but not limited to) the criteria outlined in Section 11-4-2.F of
the Zoning Ordinance:
1. The proposed action's consistency with the specific policies and provisions of the Otsego
Comprehensive Plan.
Finding: The Comprehensive Plan establishes that expansion of wastewater utilities is to be
phased to accommodate service demands for development to ensure the financial stability of
utility operations. The City has adopted the Wastewater Master Plan to coordinate and phase
expansion of WTFs to provided needed capacity and improve operational efficiency. The W-
WWTF improvement project is included within the Wastewater Master Plan and is proposed
for implementation based on established trigger events.
2. The proposed use's compatibility with present and future land uses of the area.
Finding: The subject site is surrounded by existing low density residential land uses. The
required setback from property lines for the W-WWTF buildings and proposed landscaping will
create separation and a buffer from surrounding residential dwellings. The construction of the
proposed W-WWTF improvements will also reduce odor generating operations improving
compatibility of the facility with the surrounding area.
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3. The proposed use's conformity with all performance standards contained within the Zoning
Ordinance and other provisions of the City Code.
Finding: The proposed W-WWTF improvement project complies with the appliable
requirements of the Zoning Ordinance and Engineering Manual.
4. Traffic generation of the proposed use in relation to capabilities of streets serving the property.
Finding: The subject site is currently accessed from 77th Street, but the W-WWTF improvement
project is based upon long term acquisition of access to 73rd Street. Interim use of 77th Street
is adequate for the facility until the frequency and type of vehicles required for operations
necessitates the change in access to 73rd Street.
5. The proposed use can be accommodated by existing public services and facilities and will not
overburden the City's service capacity.
Finding: The proposed W-WWTF improvement project is necessary to provide utility capacity
for forecast development, increase efficiency in operations for the City’s wastewater treatment
system, and improve compatibility with surrounding residential uses.
F. The planning report dated 28 April 2022 prepared by the City Planner, The Planning Company LLC, is
incorporated herein.
G. The Otsego Planning Commission conducted a public hearing at their regular meeting on 2 May 2022
to consider the application, preceded by published and mailed notice; based upon review of the
application and evidence received, the public hearing was closed and the Planning Commission
recommended by a 5-0 vote that the City Council approve the request based on the aforementioned
findings.
DECISION: Based on the foregoing information and applicable ordinances, the request is hereby APPROVED,
subject to the following conditions:
1. All signs shall be subject to review and approval of the Zoning Administrator.
2. All drainage and utility easements shall be subject to review and approval of the City Engineer.
3. All stormwater management issues shall be subject to review and approval of the City Engineer.
4. All utility issues shall be subject to review by the Utilities Department and Building Official.
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MOTION BY:
SECOND BY:
ALL IN FAVOR:
THOSE OPPOSED:
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Otsego this 9th day of May, 2022.
CITY OF OTSEGO
By:________________________________
Jessica L. Stockamp, Mayor
Attest:
By:____________________________
Audra Etzel, City Clerk