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May 14, 2014 <br />(1) <br />Location: Pbrama >H:Drive >15153 >FindingsReport <br />FINDINGS REPORT: SAFETY <br />ISSUE DESCRIPTION <br />A number of OMCStudy Group members made both specific and general comments related to how a <br />data center could make the Subject Property, and the surrounding neighborhood, unsafe for children <br />and pedestrians. Specifically, the OMCStudy Group has the following concerns: elimination of existing <br />open space will force kids to play on roadways, electromagnetic fields and stray voltage resulting from a <br />data center would be hazardous to nearby residents, large and open water stormwater ponds are <br />hazardous for kids, barbed wire and razor fencing are hazardous for kids, and general environmental <br />impact concerns exist. <br />ANALYTICS (click here for supplemental information, page 9) <br />Listed below are responses from City staff, and relative professional experts, to safety concerns raised <br />by the OMCStudy Group. <br />GENERAL CITY COMMENTS RELATED TO SAFETY CONCERNS <br />Generally, the purpose of Ramsey's land use regulations is to protect the health, safety <br />and welfare of the entire community. With that in mind, the City utilizes a number of <br />approaches to ensure any development on Subject Property will be safe (land use <br />regulations, development review process, building code, maintenance enforcement, law <br />enforcement, etc.). If a data center were constructed on the Subject Property, the City <br />would work within the framework /sprit identified above. <br />Generally, a data center development is one of the lowest impact 'business' type uses <br />known in the market. Data centers yield low traffic, low employment, low noise <br />pollution, low light pollution and high quality buildings. Additionally, data centers <br />'want /desire' to remain as low 'profile /hidden' as possible from surrounding properties. <br />Keeping in mind the City would pay close attention to any safety impacts a potential <br />data center development would have on surrounding properties, it is the City's <br />understanding, a data center will not create significant safety hazards. <br />(2) ELIMINATION OF EXISTING OPEN SPACE WILL FORCE KIDS TO PLAY IN ROADWAYS <br />If the Subject Property was developed for a data center user, Staff would recommend <br />the City Council consider dedicating a portion of the Subject Property for public open <br />space. <br />(3) HAZARDOUS ELECTRIC MAGNETIC FIELD (EMF) AND STRAY VOLTGE <br />Staff discussed this item with Connexus Energy. In summary, based on input from <br />Connexus Energy, if a data center were placed on the Subject Property, there would be <br />no health or safety concerns regarding EMFs or stray voltage. For more detailed <br />comments from Connexus Energy on both items, please reference below. <br />Electric Magnetic Fields <br />Connexus Energy stated a power line required for a data center would not be of <br />significant /abnormal size. A power line running to the Subject Property would have no <br />different EMF than businesses located in the City's business parks, retail areas or The <br />COR. A power line running to the Subject Property would be placed in road right of way <br />OMC Study Group, Findings Report (DRAFT) Page 26 of 42 <br />