04-09-2007 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,!April 9, 2007 7:00 o clock p.m. (5. #06 -3199 MINNETONKA CENTER White noted they are not adding additional kilns. Kaley stated an additional kiln will be added some White inquired whether an air quality report has t ARTS, 2240 NORTH SHORE DRIVE, Continued) in the future. submitted by the applicant. Curtis stated the applicant did not conduct a formal study due to the costs but that the University of Minnesota has conducted a study on their facility I and a five mile radius, which the applicant is here tonight to discuss. Roxanne Heaton, Executive Director, stated the University of Minnesota recently constructed a new art center in a densely populated area with a hospital located a half mile away and that they had to meet some strict requirements. Heaton stated the study conducted by the University of Minnesota cost $250,000 and took 18 months. Heaton stated the'study focused on the direction of the wind and the topography of the land. Heaton pointed out everything in the study is not transferable to this site since certain aspects are site specific but that they are confident the Minnetonka Center of Arts would be able to comply. Heaton noted the University of Minnesota has 12 kilns and burns 150 to 200 fires a year and that the Minnetonka Center of Arts would only be doing a fraction of that number. a Kaley inquired what the height of the stack was in the report. Heaton stated the stack height is based on the topi graphy and the wind currents. Curtis asked if the chimney would be used in the future and whether the present kiln would be utilizing the chimney. Heaton stated the present kiln would not utilize the chimney, which is being constructed to accommodate the future kiln. Heaton stated the stack could be added to if necessary. 1 Murphy inquired what comes out of the top of the kiln and what is used to fuel the fire. Heaton stated the primary differences between a soda kiln and a stone kiln are the substances that you add. Heaton indicated the kilns use natural gas to fire them and that the wood kiln that is proposed to be added would be gas and wood fired. Heaton stated the soda kiln emissions contain a very small amount of residue from the sodium bicarbonate and whatever the byproducts of the combustion would be. With a wood kiln, there would be a certain amount of wood smoke created but that the afterburner is effective in reducing the amount of smoke that is emitted to something that is the equivalent to a residential fireplace. . !I . Murphy inquired whether the City Council could look at the wood kiln stove at the time it is installed. Murphy stated it is his understanding the City dies not have any regulations in place governing residential wood stoves. . Rahn stated to his understanding this application is strictly for the construction of the shed to enclose the kilns and does not deal with the stove itself. 11 PAGE 3 of 22 �I