HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-01-24 NAC Ltr to OPH Re MWCC Expansion •
rN Northwest Associated Consultants , Inc .
AC URBAN PLANNING • D E S I G N • MARKET RESEARCH
MEMORANDUM
TO: David Licht
FROM: Scott Richards
DATE: 24 January 1991
RE: Oak Park Heights - Metro Sewer Treatment
Plant
FILE NO: 798 . 02 - 91 . 01
As per your request, I have researched the issue related to an
expansion of the Metro Waste Control Commission Sewer Treatment
Plant located in the City of Oak Park Heights . The sewer
treatment plant is located adjacent to the St. Croix River at
Upper 61st Street and St. Croix North. The site on which the
plant is located is an 0, Open Space Conservation District in
which governmental and public regulated utility buildings are a
conditional use . Government or public regulated utility
buildings are not defined in the Oak Park Heights Zoning
Ordinance .
The sewer treatment facility is located in the Lower St. Croix
National Scenic Riverway and is regulated under NR2200 General
Provisions . The provisions do not allow sewage treatment
facilities as a permitted use and conditional uses are allowed as
follows :
"In Urban Districts ; uses permitted without a rezoning in
specific zoning districts by existing local ordinances in
effect on May 1, 1974 may be allowed as conditional uses by
the local authority. "
The Oak Park Heights Zoning Ordinance in effect in May of 1974
was Ordinance No . 60, approved February 14 , 1972 which adopted
and amended portions of the Model Zoning Regulation Code For.
Communities in Washington County adopted May 23, 1967 . Ordinance
No . 60 is silent on sewage treatment plants in all of the zoning
districts . The general area containing the sewage treatment
plant was zoned Limited Industrial at that time. In Section 4
4601 Excelsior Blvd.• Suite 410•Minneapolis, MN 55416• (612) 925-9420• Fax 925-2721
the Ordinance does allow those sections of the previous zoning
regulations including Ordinance No. 20 to be valid if not
inconsistent with Ordinance No. 60 . Ordinance No . 20, adopted
November 9 , 1964 , allows public utility and public service uses
which would include sewage treatment as a permitted use . That
section is found not to be inconsistent with Ordinance No. 60 in
that other public utility and utility substation uses are listed
permitted uses . See attached Ordinance No. 20 and applicable
sections of Ordinance No. 60 .
CONCLUSION
From the review of ordinances , it would appear that the sewer
treatment plant was a permitted use under the Oak Park Heights
Zoning Ordinance on May 1, 1974 . Under current regulations
expansion of the sewer treatment plant will require a conditional
use permit to be issued by the City. If you have any questions
or would like copies of the aforementioned ordinances , please
advise.
cc : LaVonne Wilson
Molly Shodeen (DNR)