Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity/County Planning Board Minutes 03.03.1994CITY-COUNTY PLANNING BOARD SPECIAL MEETING MARCH 3, 1994 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: John Hawley Smith, Chairman Chuck Dickerson, City Rep. Gerald Shay, Member at Large Lonnie Kellogg, City Rep. Clarence Foos, County Rep. Don Gudgell, County Rep. Donna Kilpatrick, City Rep. MEMBERS ABSENT: Billielou Lance, County Rep. Larry Thomas, City Rep. OTHERS PRESENT: Cal Cumin, City Planner Cheryll Lund, City Secretary Ron Marshall, 204 Durland Gay Easton, 1011 4th Avenue Bob Graham, 819 6th Avenue Linda Blain, Joliet Flying Service, Joliet Jan Stingley, 602 W. 14th Darrell McGillen, City Fire Chief Chuck Rodgers, 626 W. 13th Milt Wester, Laurel Outlook Jim Gordon, Helena Chemical, Memphis, Tennessee Kim Sykowski, Helena Chemical Cal thanked everyone for coming to this special meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to make a decision on letting a wholesale agricultural chemical business come into a Central Business District and do business. (Jan Stingley's building located at 5th Avenue and West Main Street) Cal went on to explain that he could of made this decision himself but he wants the board to make the decision. Jan Stingley spoke regarding letting Helena Chemical, out of Memphis, Tennessee, lease the building he built about 8 years ago. His building has been sitting empty for 8 years and has been a burden to him. He would like to see if its possible to get this business into the building and area. Jan spoke concerning Helena Chemical. Their safety record is above reproach. He also feels that this use will be nothing different than what is going on in town already. (Ex.: Watts Feed and Hageman Elevator). This is just a much bigger operation. The building will be sprinkled and they will have to meet our fire and building code standards. Jan states that Helena Chemical would like to be in the building within 30 days. Jan feels that this might not be feasible in that short amount of time. Helena Chemical tried to lease a building in Lockwood (Billings area) but that building was a long way from being up to fire standards and building codes, so that lease fell through. They just happened to hear about Jan's building. Jan told Helena Chemical that he wouldn't let them lease for less than a 5 year period. He has heard that they sometimes do things "short term", but there are places where they have been for many years at a time. The zone where Jan's building sits is Central Business District. It is adjacent on the south and west to Light Industrial use (not zone). The areas to the north, south, east and northeast are all commercial uses also (not zone). Darrell McGillen, Laurel Fire Chief, spoke concerning this proposed business. He contacted Larry McCann, Fire Inspector, and Larry told him that there were some things (fire codes & building codes) that would definitely need to be addressed, and will be enforced. This would be a "Group H" occupancy would is considered a storage of flammable and combustible substances. He feels that Jan's building would probably meet all of the codes that will apply. The building would have to be brought up to code, even tho it has been there for 8 years. Darrell went on to say that a sprinkler system will have to be brought up to code. He also spoke about containment time on fire water. Within a 3,000 square foot area the building must hold the water that is put onto the fire for 20 minutes. That code is also defined in building codes. They will have to look at the square footage of Jan's building and make sure the containment time matches fire code. Ventilation will be a big concern and will be addressed accordingly. The chemicals inside the plant require certain ventilation. This will be addressed through the fire codes and building codes. Also the compatibility and non-compatibility of the materials they carry will be addressed. The companies know and understand that part of the code. Darrell again stressed the necessity of a sprinkler system. It must and will be sprinkled! He did go on to say that there is some talk that it is better to let fires of this nature burn off. Ke states that the fumes become a health hazard and if we let it burn off then he may have to look at the evacuation of the entire community. If he puts the fire out, then the contamination problem is something the company has to deal with. Contamination is much easier to deal with than the letting of poisonous gases into the atmosphere. Jim Gordon of Helena Chemical spoke. Helena Chemical is a national agricultural distributor. It is the second largest in the U.S.. They are based out of Memphis, Tennessee. They have 160 warehouses throughout the states. They have never had a warehouse catch on fire. They feel that the best prevention of fire is through safety and prevention. They are very safety conscience. They have internal audit sheets that address those types of issues. As ~ar as environmentally they are extremely sound. They not only w~nt to be good neighbors to the citizens and friendly to the environment. He also states that as far as putting water onto chemical fires, there are several opinions to that. Helena Chemical's insurance companies prefer that they do not have sprinkler systems. But, they will certainly do what Laurel wants them to do. A lot of times putting water on chemicals will act as a suppressant and not put the fire out. And, getting rid of the contaminants that are mixed with water is a real problem, and extremely expensive. But the safety of the community is a big issue with Helena Chemical. They use preventative measures to assure that the operation is safe. They are not a formulator of agricultural chemicals and will not repackage anything at this particular plant. Everything comes to them in packages and containers in 1 gallon, 2 1/2 gallons, 30 gallons, 55 gallons, the mini bulks and some shuttle containers. They are shifting away from the shuttle issue because there will be new requirements placed on shuttles starting this year. Their formulation companies and manufacturers are starting to shift the liquid chemicals to the dry granules, gels, and water solubles. The spills from these types of chemicals are much easier to clean up and control. Ail of their private label 33 and 55 gallon containers are returnable and recyclable. They also have a safety revolver system where you have to have an adaptor to pour any of the liquids out of the container. Helena Chemical would like to be in Laurel for many years to come. He would also like to say that the type of chemicals that they use are not the hard petro type of chemicals. The chemicals they sell are the same things available in Laurel right now through smaller dealers and in smaller quantities. Helena Chemical's operation will be on a much bigger scale. He also feels that the building they will be going into will be a safer building than any of their competitors buildings in the Billings and Lockwood area. Question on the exact operation they will be having in the building, and on spills. They are not a formulator or repackaging plant. Everything comes to them in containers and packages and leaves the same way. As for spills, they would be very minor, and the proper procedures would be taken immediately to clean it up. Helena Chemical is owned by a company in Japan. Question on what becomes of the pallets that shipments come in on. The pallets are stored inside and reused. They will not be visible to passers-by. Question on spills. Everything is shut down immediately and the spill is cleaned up. If a truck comes in with leaking containers the proper authorities are called and the correct procedures are taken. Comment on the cleanliness of the warehouses. Lonnie Kellogg stated that the warehouses he has been into are immaculate. Mr. Gordon states that that is a correct statement. Helena Chemical has standards that are above every other companies standards. He also states that no odors should be able passers-by. You could probably smell some standing inside the building. to be detected by odor when you are Question on whether or not any chemicals would sit on the dock for any length of time. The dock in the building is located inside. Nothing will be visible from the outside. And, rarely does anything sit on the docks for any length of time. Helena Chemical has very strict policies and procedures. They allow no food or drink in the warehouse, and a non-smoking policy. They do safety checks on vehicles on a regular basis. No water would be coming out into Laurel's sewer system from the warehouse (except for the bathroom facilities). Question on number of employee's. They will have 4-5 full time employee's. They will also employee 5-6 part-time drivers. Anyone that comes in and buys from Helena Chemical has to be licensed to use the chemicals before they can buy. Their computer system also keeps them informed on whether or not the person picking up chemicals has to have a placard, depending on the type of chemicals. Cal spoke on the issue before the Board. He states that the Board has to decide whether or not this particular use is allowed at this time, in this zone. His recommendation is that we allow this use in this zone, subject to the conditions of the fire marshall. He would also like to indicate that this is we have reviewed this and approved this use in this site based upon the existing facility. In the future if he decides to add on to that facility that he come before this board again. Motion by Donna Kilpatrick, seconded by Gerald Shay, to approve Helena Chemical's use of Jan Stingley's building located on W. Main and 5th Avenue, subject to the conditions of the fire marshall. Motion carried unanimously. Question on whether or not this has to go to the City Council. Cal states that it does not. Bob Graham commented on the possibility of explosions and referred to Texas City, Texas, as an example. An explosion occurred there and about demolished the town. He wants to know if the chemicals are the same type? He wants to make sure we are not putting in a building that would jeopardize our town. Cal states that the building is a long way from schools, old folks homes, etc. It is in the industrial area. He also stated that the railroad next door is more of a hazard in that area due to the products being shipped via the trains. This company does not handle that type of product. Question on the explosive point of a drum of chemicals. Mr. Gordon stated that the highest flash point of any of their chemicals is 200. His company also prides itself on its safety record. Darrell McGillen states that the potential danger he is speaking of has been in Laurel, in other retail stores, for many years. The only difference is that the quantity of the chemicals is larger at Helena Chemical. He feels that if the company abides by the building and fire codes there should be no problems having the company in Laurel. He had the fire marshall make inquires about the company and he found that their reputation is outstanding. Helena Chemical has an engineer that comes to the building and sets everything up, as far as safety goes. Darrell also reminded the councilmen present that Melena Chemical will have to submit a full set of buildin~ Plans to the City of Laurel and 9o through the right channels. Darrell also added that there is a similar plant out on Moss Main. They have only had one incident of a spill at that particular plant. The plant is also kept immaculately clean. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Cheryll Lund, Secretary