Eagan planning panel recommends permit for outdoor pallet storage at 2945 Commerce Drive

The Eagan Advisory Planning Commission voted 5-0 on Jan. 27 to recommend approval of a conditional use permit to allow outdoor overnight storage of empty pallets and three semi tractor trailers at 2945 Commerce Drive.

Staff presented the proposal as a request for a approximately 16,000-square-foot fenced enclosure at the southwest corner of a roughly 7.24-acre site that includes an about 100,000-square-foot industrial building. Mr. Schultz, the planning staff presenter, said the property fronts Commerce Drive, is served by city water and sewer and that similar outdoor storage is common on adjacent parcels. He told the commission the proposal meets all six city performance standards for outdoor storage and does not trigger additional stormwater or water-quality requirements for the paved area.

"The applicant is requesting approval of a conditional use permit for 16,000 square foot fenced enclosure, to allow outdoor storage of empty pallets, and 3 semi tractor trailers," Mr. Schultz said in his summary to the commission. He described required site conditions including a recorded cross-access easement if one or both properties are sold, a 20-foot double-swing gate for loading, preservation of existing Jersey barriers at the rear of the building, and required stair access on specified pedestrian doors for egress and fire safety.

Brandon Champot, who identified himself as executive vice president with Hemphill Real Estate and spoke for the applicant, said the use is largely a formalization of prior activity at the site. "I have nothing else to add," Champot said. "Mike presented it. I think our request is fairly straightforward. The property prior to us acquiring it has been, I think, utilizing that area as outdoor storage, and we're really just here to to formalize the approval and make sure we're complying with everything."

Secretary Wagner moved that the commission recommend approval of the conditional use permit for a 16,000-square-foot fenced enclosure for empty pallets and three semitrailers at 2945 Commerce Drive (Lot 2, Block 1, Eagan Business Commons), subject to eight conditions. Vice Chair Schwanke seconded, and the motion passed on a 5-0 voice vote.

Mr. Schultz told the commission the council will consider the recommendation at its meeting on Monday, Feb. 2. The commission closed the public hearing after no members of the public spoke.

The staff report, the site plan showing pallet setbacks (10 feet from the fence, 15 feet from the building, 9 feet between piles), and the requirement to record a cross-access easement are part of the record and were cited by staff as conditions of the recommendation.