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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNarrative_Darigold_V1 1715 Magnavox Way, Fort Wayne, IN 46804 | 260.432.9337 930 North Meridian, Indianapolis, IN 46204 | 317.917.1190 | msktd.com Architecture | Engineering |Interior Design April 10, 2025 Joe Dodson, Planner III Community Development, Planning & Zoning 205 S. 6th Ave. Caldwell, ID 83605 RE: Darigold: Landscape Plan - Alternate Method of Compliance MSKTD Project No. 8132 Dear Joe: Following the virtual meeting on March 17, 2025, on behalf of the Owner and per city direction, we are requesting approval of the landscape plan per the City of Caldwell, Idaho Code 10-17-14: Alternate Method of Compliance, based on Condition of Alternative Compliance Consideration Items A, B, & D, and in compliance with the new Landscaping and Buffering Code 10-02-09 and subsections. Site conditions offer inadequate space for street tree canopy and landscape buffers per code along N. 5th Avenue and Boise Avenue. Standard Landscape Requirements per code for amount of cover and planting density does not allow implementation of site best management practices specific to design of food processing facilities to protect human health and safety. Elimination of habitat, refuge, host plants, fruit, and pollen production are fundamental to limit risk of contamination by harmful microorganisms such as viruses, fungi, molds and bacteria, as well as insects, parasites and vermin. Food-born bacteria are an ongoing concern for food processing operations. Listeria is an especially persistent bacterium that thrives even in cool temperatures and can be carried in soil, water, sewage, rotting vegetation, and animals. The following list of design considerations includes summarization of information from www.spraguepest.com, 2021 and established food processing industry BMPs to control risk of contamination: • Maintain positive grading away from buildings and adjacent parking. • Avoid excessive watering and moisture. • Limit the use of plantings and mulch around the facility. • Avoid plants that promote tunneling and burrowing by rodents such as junipers and tall groundcover. • Avoid plants that promote aphids, scales or other honeydew producing Hemiptera insects. • Eliminate organic mulch around the facility that could provide refuge for pests. • Substitute mineral mulch cover for organic mulches in planting areas. • Use concrete slab vermin barrier or gravel strip at the building perimeter to eliminating habitat and access for rodents and insects. • Eliminate overhanging branches, leaf drop, and dense vegetation that may harbor nesting birds and insects or provide direct access routes to roofs or vent openings for rodents and insects. • Avoid vegetative debris build-up that may house insects, feed bacteria, or host fungi. • Maintain short grass height. • Prune branches and vines well back from the building exterior. • Immediately remove leaf and branch drop, especially from roofs. 1715 Magnavox Way, Fort Wayne, IN 46804 | 260.432.9337 930 North Meridian, Indianapolis, IN 46204 | 317.917.1190 | msktd.com Architecture | Engineering |Interior Design In alignment with the listed BMPs, the submitted design avoids use of plants in the narrow beds immediately adjacent to the building via a decorative rock and boulder design. Owner goal is to provide an acceptable landscape design that will provide interest in the narrow beds along 5th Street to meet the intent of the landscape code without installation of irrigation and while maintaining best practices for food processing. This decorative stone and boulder treatment extends north of the building where limited use of drought-tolerant native species has been incorporated for added visual interest in areas slightly less adjacent. Per the preliminary concept, (3) street trees are planned diagonally across the intersection with Boise Avenue, where no other project construction is planned. City of Caldwell Planning & Zoning Department has directed the use of Class I trees for use under the existing overhead utilities. Syringa reticulata ‘Ivory Silk’, a cultivar with narrow canopy and limited appeal to wildlife, is selected for use. Although limited in spread, these trees are anticipated to have a canopy width that may extend slightly beyond the curbline at maturity. These trees are currently shown in a bed with continuous decorative mineral mulch cover and with limited understory to minimize the attraction of insects and vermin. References: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/foodborne-illness-and-disease/illnesses-and-pathogens/listeria, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/php/surveillance/listeria-initiative.html, 2025. https://www.qualityassurancemag.com/article/aib0612-landscaping-mistakes-pests/, 2025. https://www.spraguepest.com/landscape-design-tips-to-reduce-pest-pressure, 2021. Please call me if you have any questions. Respectfully, MSKTD & ASSOCIATES, INC. Laura A. Kukelhan, RLA LAK/lw Attachments: Darigold Quality Manual 33.000 Pest Control cc: LAK/File Date Issued: 06/2012 Date Revised: New Approval: Burrows/Falce QUALITY MANUAL SECTION 33.000 Pest Control I. PURPOSE & OVERVIEW Pest control is an essential part of Darigold’s HACCP prerequisite programs. A food plant must be free of rodents, birds, and insects. Each facility shall have an effective pest control program in place to minimize the risk of infestation and there shall be resources available to rapidly respond to any issues to prevent risk to products. The scope of the program needs to envelop the entire facility. A commercial pest control company must be contracted to provide pest control services at each Darigold production facility and warehouse. This section outlines the requirements that must be satisfied by the pest control operator (PCO). II. ADMINISTRATION The Plant Manager and plant Quality Manager are responsible for oversight of the PCO and pest control program at each individual facility. Records of service must be maintained at the facility. In the case of an off-site warehouse, the Warehouse Manager and the Sr. Manager of Warehouse Operations are responsible for oversight of the PCO and pest control program at each individual facility. Records of service must be maintained at the facility. III. PROCEDURE A. Pest Control Operator 1. A commercial pest control operator must be selected from a corporate approved vendor. QM 33.00 Page 1 of 3 Date Issued: 06/2012 Date Revised: New Approval: Burrows/Falce B. Pest Control Survey 1. An in-depth, documented survey shall be conducted at commencement of service by the PCO to determine the necessary pest control measures. 2. At a minimum of once per year an in-depth survey shall be conducted to evaluate pest control measures and make necessary adjustments. C. Pest Control Service 1. The scope of the pest service shall at a minimum include rodent and insect control service and be conducted at least twice per month. The entire pest program shall be outlined in a written format that reflects all areas of the facility. The written program should detail the work that must be performed, schedules and frequencies of the work to be done in all areas which are being serviced, including exterior sites (roof tops, silos, and other potential nesting, harborage areas). The plant contract shall detail this. 2. In the event of infestation, or evidence of pest activity, the PCO shall be contacted immediately and action shall be taken to eliminate the hazard. In the event that pests may have entered the facility, it is important to eliminate their presence in the shortest time possible. 3. External bait stations shall be labeled, secured in place, and tamper resistant. Missing bait boxes shall be recorded, reviewed and investigated. Internal traps that are part of the routine pest control program shall not contain toxic baits (ex. Tin Cats, Ketch-Alls). 4. Fly-killing devices and/or pheromone traps shall be correctly sited and operational. a) Non-zapping, scatter proof light traps shall be used in areas where there are finished goods or product contamination is a risk. b) In dry operations, it has been highly recommended to not use pheromone traps as they are attractants. In the event that the PCO recommends this course of treatment, the Divisional Quality Director must give approval. 5. An exit interview shall be conducted between the PCO and an authorized company representative following each service visit. It is the responsibility of the plant to ensure all of the recommendations made by their contractor are carried out in a timely manner. 6. In plants where organic ingredients, packages, or products are stored, processed, or packaged there shall be policies or practices to ensure organic integrity is maintained during service. D. Pest Control Records 1. At a minimum, the following pest control records shall be kept: a) The PCOs most current license and insurance. b) An up to date plan of the full site identifying numbered pest control devices and their locations. QM 33.00 Page 2 of 3 Date Issued: 06/2012 Date Revised: New Approval: Burrows/Falce QM 33.00 Page 3 of 3 c) Clearly defined responsibilities for site management and the contractor. d) Records of pest control inspections, pest proofing, PCO recommendations, observed pest activity and corrective actions taken by the PCO or plant staff. e) The pesticides that are approved for use in the plant, their application instructions, usage locations, date of usage and MSDS documentation. E. Activity Trends 1. Results of pest control inspections shall be assessed and analyzed for trends on a regular basis. 2. These trend reports shall be communicated to the plant management team and corrective actions taken as needed. IV. PREVENTATIVE MEASURES A. Plant Grounds and Building 1. The plant grounds need to be kept in a fashion to discourage the proliferation of pests. To prevent harborage areas from developing, the grounds must be kept clean and tidy, weeds eliminated, shrubs kept trim, and grounds should have good drainage to prevent standing water. Trash bins and compactors must be covered at all times. 2. The building shall be designed, constructed, and maintained to prevent harborage and to preclude easy entrance of pests. Doors, windows, screens need to be insect/rodent proof and tight fitting. Openings in walls need to be sealed. 3. Dock levelers should be equipped with brush seals to prevent build up of material and allow harborage. Dock pits need to be cleaned and maintained on a regular schedule. The rail and dock shrouds must be in good condition and a tight fit when used. Dock doors must be kept closed when not in use or screened when used for ventilation. B. Warehouses, Coolers, and Freezers 1. The warehouses, coolers, and freezers, are in areas in which most pests will be attracted; therefore, these areas must be kept clean and easy to inspect. An 18 inch perimeter is essential for warehouse inspection and must be maintained. It is recommended as a best practice that inspection zones be identified by paint or barrier. Periodic cleaning of inspection areas should be documented via the Master Sanitation program. 2. It is essential that spilled product is promptly cleaned up so that it does not serve as an attractant. Any damaged product shall be segregated and handled under QM 04.00 - Hold Policy.