The Superior Express -

The room was filled to overflowing Monday evening when members of the Superior City Council met for their last scheduled March meeting. Probably more than 40 people were in the room, hallway and adjoining offices.

While citizens came for various reasons, probably the biggest delegation represented Oak Ridge subdivision residents concerned a new business locating in the Kottmeyer Business Park will create objectionable noise.

The computer data center being developed by Lannin Zoltenko continues to grow both in physical size and the number of employees. But residents of the Oak Ridge subdivision are worried about the noise the project’s cooling fans may create.

Earlier, the council approved the sale of one lot in the business park and options on other lots. But as the development plans have changed so has the land requirements.

Zoltenko is now asking for permission to purchase Lots 1 and 3. His plan calls for the location of data center equipment on Lots 2 and 3 and the construction of an office, maintenance and manufacturing facility on Lot 1. As currently planned, the business will provide 10 new jobs.

The development plan calls for planting a row of trees along the north and west sides of the development to assist with buffering the sound of the cooling fans.

Council members delayed acting on the land purchase request until after a similar installation at Kearney is inspected. That installation is thought to be about 5 times larger than the one planned for Superior and is thought to be located within 75 feet of a residence.

The Zoltenko facility is 1,600 feet from Oak Ridge Road. There are two streets, the Superior Canal and the former petroleum tank farm property located between the Oak Ridge development and the original Kottmeyer Business Park property.

In other action Monday night, the council approved two loans which will facilitate the sale of Dave’s Place. The two will total $170,000 and are to be paid back over 15 years. The unnamed new owner plans to renovate the property and continue operation of the keno parlor, cafe and bar.

The council approved sharing in the cost of razing a former apartment house at 618 East Second. A previous occupant removed interior supports making the structure unsafe for continued occupancy. Under the terms approved Monday night, the structure must be replaced with a taxable structure. Mr. and Mrs. Ben Saathoff were present to answer questions about their plans for the property.

The council tabled a request for a loan to facilitate the purchase of the east portion of the former petroleum tank farm property until the property is platted.

The proposed buyer plans to use the property, which includes the existing office, warehouse and loading rack buildings, for a painting and sandblasting business.

Preliminary plans were approved for a pedestrian improvement project. The plan calls for a 6 foot wide sidewalk along the south side of Eighth Street to connect the schools on West Eighth with Bloom Street and a sidewalk along the west side of Central from Eighth to the central business district.

Project bids will be sought later this spring.

Permission was granted for Larry Lunzer to construct a fence on the public right-of-way near his home.

The council approved an amendment to the water conservation and drought contingency plan changing the notification procedure whenever a water emergency is declared.

Members of the council picked the graphic design submitted by Adam Perrie, a Superior High School student, that will be applied as part of a water tower reconditioning project slated for later this year. The design features the Superior High School Wildcat mascot.

The current year fire department officers were approved. Scott Nondorf will serve as chief, Dalen Tietjen as assistant chief. Captains are T J Morris, Matt Meyer, Levi Gunn and Trent Rothchild. John Carbaugh is president, Barney Freitag vice president, Mike Smith, secretary, and Levi Gunn, treasurer.