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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-04-92November 4, 1992 9183 Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held November 4, 1992, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Gary C. Hancock, presiding Council Members: J. R. Schrader, Jr., Ray D'Ardenne, Jr., W. H. Schrader, Jr., Andrew L. Graham, Alma H. Holston, Robert N. Glenn Planning Commission: John Sadler, Jr., Roy D'Ardenne, Jr., Joseph Weddle, William Smith, Jr., Kathleen Kirk, Matthew Olsen, Roy David Warburton Also Present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney Don E. Holycross, Town Manager Rebekah Corso, Acting Clerk of Council John J. Hawley, Town Engineer Tom Compton, Building Inspector Visitors: Dee Lindsey and Paul Dellinger, News Media Mr. Roscoe Cox Mr. Buddy Morton Mr. Harold Richardson Mr. Richard Jones Mrs. Doris Fagg Mrs. Dorothy Harrison Mrs. Frances Viars Mr. David Daigle Mr. Pete Huber The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hancock. Councilman D'Ardenne led the Pledge of Allegiance with the Invocation being given by Councilman J. R. Schrader. Councilman Graham made the motion to appoint Rebekah Corso as Acting Clerk of Council, seconded by Councilman J. R. Schrader and so carried. Mayor Hancock advised that the purpose of the Special Meeting was a PUBLI~ublic hearing held jointly with the Town Planning Commission to hear HEAR citizen comments on the Fontaine Modification Company conditional use ZONINGapplication to install small light-chassis components on trucks at Pulaski Mall, 1040 East Main Street (former L.A. Joe Department Store Building). Mr. Joe Weddle, Planning Commission Member, joined the meeting at 7:04 p.m. 9184 November 4, 1992 FONTAINE CONDITIONAL USE REQUEST - PUBLIC HEARING Mr. Holycross advised that at the Council meeting of October 6, 1992, the Council adopted an amendment to the Zoning Code that allows light manufacturing, fabricating, or processing operations to be established in a B-2 (General Business) zoning district as a conditional use. To qualify for a conditional use under the amendment, a light industrial operation must be located within a completely enclosed building, must not produce hazardous, objectionable, or offensive conditions outside the building, and must be harmonious with adjacent commercial uses. Mr. Holycross indicated that the joint public hearing was to consider a request by the Fontaine Modification Company for a conditional use to establish a vehicle modification facility at the former LA Joe Building at 1040 East Main Street. The site is zoned B-2 (General Business) and the proposed facility would require a conditional use pursuant to the zoning amendment discussed previously. The Fontaine Modification Company is proposing to perform minor modifications to new Volvo heavy trucks produced at Volvo's New River Valley Manufacturing Facility in Pulaski County. According to the conditional use application, the equipment to be installed by Fontaine "can best be described as small, light chassis components to be mounted in the cab area or on the chassis and frame area". All tools and equipment to be utilized will be of the light hand-tool type, operated by air or electricity. Fontaine would park all vehicles inside the building. Work performed on the vehicles would not be visible to the outside. According to the conditional use application, "noise concerns will not be noticed in the front or side of the facility due to the fact that there are no front openings. The only open doors will be at the rear of the facility for the entrance and exits of vehicles. All noise will be restricted to hand tools, impact wrench types. The type of noise expected can be related to the Firestone Tire Store at the other end of the shopping center. However, they have open exposed doors with noise reflecting out to the retail and public areas. Fontaine will not have this situation and should prove to be much quieter than the Firestone Store." It is estimated that the facility will employ 35 persons within 60 days and may employ 50 persons by the end of 1993. Mr. Holycross advised that adjacent property owners and adjacent businesses have been advised of the public hearing. Mr. Holycross also advised that the reason for the special meeting is that Fontaine is under extreme time constraints if they are to use this site for the temporary location of the modification facility. Mr. Buddy Morton, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Fontaine Modification, addressed Council and Planning Commission. Mr. Morton advised that presently Fontaine Modification operated outside of Navastar and Ford Motor Company as basically an extension of their assembly line, where Fontaine can catch the vehicles as they come off November 4, 1992 9185 FONTAINE CONDITIONAL Use - Public Hearing the assembly line and perform modifications or install options that are not normally offered by the original equipment manufacturer. Mr. Morton stated that due to the inability to locate a facility adequate to perform major modifications, Fontaine would only be performing light installation of equipment until such time that they can locate in a new facility near the Volvo production plant in Pulaski County. It is Fontaine's desire to locate in close proximity to the Volvo Plant in order to keep down the cost involved with the moving of the trucks and the liability involved. Furthermore, it is Fontaine's wish to establish the work force on a local basis and not to hire from outside if possible. Mr. Morton further reiterated that the type of work to be performed would be basic installation of equipment that is required or asked for by the customer or dealer that is not normally offered by the production plant. For example, fold down or adjustable air shields, decal installation, pre-delivery, bolting equipment onto frame, mounting equipment inside cab, etc. Mr. Morton stated they did not tear down engines, change oil or antifreeze, or any type of all-over painting. The only type of painting would possibly be the touch up of minor scratches. Mr. Morton stated they would have some type of paint supplies on the premises, in a flammable paint locker as required by OSHA. Mr. Morton indicated a dumpster would be utilized and located at the rear of the building. All vehicles would be stored inside the building. The intent of Fontaine Modification is to help Volvo in their efforts to increase sales, by allowing Volvo to produce a more standard truck with Fontaine supplying the options requested by the buyer or dealer, options that are not necessarily offered by Volvo. Mr. Morton stated there would be no doors open to the front of the building. Mr. Morton indicated Fontaine would make every effort to utilize local businesses in the purchase of equipment, parts, nuts, bolts, hoses, and chemicals used to clean the trucks, etc., to be used in the modification process of the Volvo trucks. Mr. Morton reiterated that the number of employees would be between 35 and 50. Mr. Morton, referring to the Ordinance prepared by the Town Attorney, addressed one concern, "Fontaine will not use a paint booth or any fabrication equipment." Mr. Morton stated Fontaine would not be fabricating with steel and making the parts, etc, but there could certainly be a drill press or some light fabrication equipment. Mr. Morton stated there would be no heavy fabrication equipment located at the property. Mayor Hancock called for comments from the public. Mrs. Dorothy Harrison inquired if there was to be a new door at the front of the building. Mr. Morton advised that there would be no new door at the front of the building. All trucks would enter and exit the building from the rear. Mr. Roscoe Cox, Pulaski Main Street Project Manager, spoke in support of the conditional use request by Fontaine Fabrication Company. Mr. Peter Huber advised Council that the Board of Supervisors is committed to trying to construct a permanent facility for Fontaine that would address their long term needs. Planning Commission Member, Mr. John Sadler, stated it sounded like 9186 November 4, 1992 FONTAINE CONDITIONAL USE - PUBLIC HEARING both heavy and light manufacturing would be accomplished and inquired how long Fontaine would be located at this location. Mr. Morton replied that he was requesting a lease for 12 months with a 24 month option, and further replied that the trucks were heavy but the parts that Fontaine would be installing are of the nature that they could be held in one's hand in most cases. There could be the chance that Fontaine could be installing tag axles, which is a lift axle on the back of the truck for maybe a garbage truck, etc., which would require the use of a fork lift, this would be about the heavest component that would be installed. Most of the modifications would involve installation of bumpers, decals, wrenchs, central hydraulic lines, light-chassis components. Mr. Sadler inquired as to how many trucks Fontaine would run through the site per day. Mr. Morton stated he could not give an exact number, but some trucks could come in one day and be delivered back to the plant the next day, some trucks could be in the fabricating facility for a week. Mr. Morton indicated an estimate of 12 - 20 trucks could be delivered to and exit the facility per day. Mr. Morton further indicated that if it became a traffic problem that Fontaine would commit to move the trucks at night that were over and beyond the normality. Planning Commission Member, Mr. David Warburton, inquired as to how many shifts Fontaine Modification would be working. Mr. Morton replied that at the present time he only saw the need for 1 shift. Mr. Morton further stated that Fontaine was presently negotiating with the County and independent contractors to construct a 50-60,000 square foot building at the Industrial Park. Planning Commission Member, Mr. David Warburton, inquired as to how many trucks would be in the building at one time and square footage of office space. Mr. Morton estimated approximately 20 trucks at a time would be in the building and approximately 1,000 to 1,500 square feet of the building would be utilized as office space. Planning Commission Member, Mr. David Warburton, inquired if Fontaine Modification anticipated bringing work in from other truck plants. Mr. Morton indicated they had no intention of doing so. There being no further comments or questions, Mayor Hancock adjourned the public hearing at 7:40 p.m. At 7:40 Mayor Hancock called for a temporary recess of the Council Meeting. Mr. Terwilliger advised that the Ordinance before Council regarding the Fontaine conditional use request was a draft and would suggest the following changes: Page 1, paragraph 2 should read: "Fontaine will not use a paint booth or any heavy fabrication equipment." Page 2, paragraph 2, correct spelling of mass. Page 2, paragraph 3, first sentence should read: "The fabrication facilities on the premises will be limited to incidental light modification work." At 7:41 p.m., Mr. Warburton called the meeting of the Planning Commission to order. Members Present: John E. Sadler, Jr. Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. November 4, 1992 9187 Joe Weddle William T. Smith, ,Tr. Kathleen Kirk Matthew Olsen Roy David Warburton Mr. Warburton called for further discussion or a motion with regard to the conditional use application #92-22CU, a request by Fontaine Modification Company to locate a facility to perform minor modifications to heavy trucks at 1040 East Main Street. There being no further discussion, Mr. D'Ardenne made the motion to recommend to Town Council that application #92-22CU be approved with the conditions set forth in Ordinance No. 92-19, as amended, being attached to the conditional use, seconded by Mr. Weddle and carried on the following recorded vote: John E. Sadler, Jr. - Abstain Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. - Aye Joseph L. Weddle - Aye William T. Smith, Jr. - Aye Kathleen Kirk - Aye Matthew Olsen - Aye Roy David Warburton - Abstain There being no further business, Mr. Weddle made the motion to adjourn at 7:45 p.m., seconded by Mr. Smith and so carried. At 7:46 p.m., Council returned from recess. Reporting for the Planning Commission, 24r. Warburton stated that regarding the conditional use request (Case No. 92-22CU) by Fontaine Modification Company to install small light-chassis components on trucks at 1040 East Main Street, the Commission recommends approval of this request with the conditions set forth in Ordinance 92-19, as amended, being attached to the conditional use. Councilwoman Holston so moved to waive reading of Ordinance 92-19 Permitting Fontaine Modification Company To Perform Minor Modifications To Heavy Trucks As Conditional Use at 1040 East Main Street, as amended, seconded by Councilman J. R. Schrader and so carried. Councilman D'Ardenne made a motion that Ordinance No. 92-19, as amended, be adopted, seconded by Councilwoman Holston and carried on the following recorded vote: ORDINANCE Charles D. Crispin - Absent Andrew L. Graham - Aye No. 92-19 J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye E. G. Black, Jr. - Absent ADOPTED Roy H. D'Ardenne, Jr. - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Robert N. Glenn - Aye There being no further business, Councilman J. R. Schrader moved to adjourn at 7:48 p.m., seconded by Councilman D'Ardenne and so carried. APPROVED: Attest: ~ ~ 50 Acting Clerk U ~- ~~~~ Mayor