Agenda - Economic Development Authority - 05/16/2013

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of surrounding properties; depending on the quality of the project and the required screening/land use regulations (when compared to the alternative). This item is subjective. Staff had a chance to review the Subject Property with the League of Minnesota Cities and the City Attorney. Most case law indicates this accusation is subjective and unclear. Staff would recommend the City update their comprehensive plan to reflect the desired zoning before moving forward with either development scenario (residential or data center). This was already contemplated by the Planning Division as part of the Zoning Amendment and Open House process, although not expressly stated. Risk/Market Failure A number of residents are concerned that a data center development will eventually fail; and that another type of user would eventually take over. Said user may not work well with surrounding properties. Like any business, the risk of a data center development failing is real. The City does not have the ability to mitigate this risk. However, in the event a data center user failed, the City does have the ability to regulate the next user. It is likely, an office type reuse would fit in best with surrounding properties. The City has the ability to control the use of the Subject Property through land use regulations; in this case, a Planned Unit Development (PUD) or an Overlay District. A PUD would be the preferred tool if a specific user and site plan were identified. An Overlay District would be the preferred tool if a specific user or site plan was not identified, but the City chose to move forward with theShovel-Ready Certification. Use of Subject Property for a Park Several residents indicated the City should develop the entire Subject Property into a park. Over the course of the last decade, as new single family homes and town -home developments have been platted near the Subject Property, the Park and Recreation Commission has examined the need for recreational amenities and associated trail connections. Finding that there is adequate recreation and open space in the larger vicinity of the former Municipal Center, the City has focused on trail development; and, this part of Ramsey now has the most comprehensive trail and connected trail system within the entire City. A summary of park amenities nearby the Subject Property includes the two community parks of Elmcrest and Alpine; and play equipment at Alpine, Woodland Green, Solstice and the school. Athletic fields at Alpine, Elmcrest, the school, Solstice, Woodland Green and Bear Park. Open space at all of the above, plus Sunfish Lake Park and the scout camp as well as other city -owned lands. In addition to the common recreational amenities at these parks, at Alpine there is a concrete skate park, free canoes and kayaks at Sunfish Lake, and ice skating and a warming house at the 60-acre Ramsey Elementary immediately west of the former Municipal Center. Better Locations Residents at the public open house indicated there are "better locations" for a data center in Ramsey; and that the Subject Property should not be considered. Considering the requirements of a data center development, the Subject Property is the only substantial available site in the City of Ramsey. Requirements include: redundant fiber, redundant electricity, city utilities, minimum distance from city services, minimum distance from train tracks, minimum distance from a river, minimum distance from an electrical substation and a substantially sized site. Anoka Hennepen School District Use Several residents indicated the Subject Property should be used for an Anoka Hennepen School District school campus. Staff made contact with the School District and has received word their organization is not interested in the Subject Property now or into the foreseeable future. SECTION 2: REVISED FEASIBILITY STUDY/CONCEPTS