Agenda - Economic Development Authority - 11/14/2013

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EDA Updates 11082013 (1) Old Municipal Center Site Development Background The City's Economic Development Authority (EDA) and Council are in the process considering the future development of the "Old Municipal Center Site." The City is considering two general development scenarios for the 20.5 acre site: (A) data center development and (B) residential development. Today, the Old Municipal Center Site is zoned Public/Quasi Public. On Tuesday, June 12, 2013 the Council considered submitting an application to the Planning Commission to amend the City's Comprehensive Plan to allow for either a data center or residential user. The Council decided to re-engage surrounding property owners regarding a data center development before submitting a Comprehensive Plan Amendment application to the Planning Commission; for either type of use. On July 9, 2013 the City Council directed Staff to formulate a study group consisting of various stakeholders; including: surrounding property owners, at large Ramsey residents, one Planning Commission member, one Economic Development Authority member and one City Council member. The purpose of the Study Group is to better understand under what circumstances would a data center development be an acceptable use for the Subject Property. The key outcome of this process is a proposal for Council consideration; which will include (1) further documentation/information addressing specific concerns (2) mitigation proposals addressing specific concerns (3) updated site concept maps. Update The OMC study group met for the first time on Monday, November 4, 2013 to hold a scoping meeting. The meeting began with introductions and a presentation by City staff —which, outlined the history/ background of OMC site. At the conclusion of the presentation, the OMC study group was asked to brainstorm topics (i.e. concerns) they would like to discuss moving forward —with the intention of diving into each concern in detail at subsequent meetings. A number of concerns/ topics were raised by the OMC study group during in the scoping meeting —and, initial/ preliminary discussions and dialog took place. Topics included: Noise, Aesthetics/Building Design, Property Values, Traffic, Safety and Electrical Field Hazards. A copy of the written comments from the scoping meeting are attached for your review. Based on consensus from the OMC study group, listed below is the proposed* meeting schedule: Meeting 1: Noise (Monday, December 16, 6:00 p.m., Lake Itasca Room) Meeting 2: Aesthetics/Building Design, Property Values Meeting 3: Traffic, Safety, Electrical Field Hazards *Subject to change, per the OMC study group.