Minutes - Council - 06/10/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Kent Cunningham, 15211 Helium Street NW, Ramsey, stated he was on the study group to research whether this is a good place for a data center. He said the data center does not belong in a residential area. He posed the question if he were the owner of the property, and he came before the Council to request rezoning, would the same discussion be happening. He stated the findings of the study group as reported in the presentation did not match the conclusion the study group came to. The areas of concern such as noise and property value were not mitigated. The proposal said it would be no more than 50 decibels; however, that is a large increase over what it is now. An increase in acceptable noise is not acceptable in the neighborhood. This has become a legal struggle for those involved. As far as property value, he explained, it only needs to be perceived as a low value by a potential buyer to drive a potential buyer away from the house. He stated only one person was consulted as an expert in this, and there were no assessors. This was not sufficient research. He noted that data centers are becoming obsolete. Those that do want data centers want large centers. If this data center wanted to expand, there is no room for that. This could leave the building empty in the middle of a neighborhood. He questioned if this project is abandoned in 10 years, how would the City benefit and how would the residents benefit. Bob Hartmann, 5475 151S Avenue NW, Ramsey, expressed his concern for lighting, security and fines for noise. He asked whether there will be a stipulation that the occupants have to tear down the building if it becomes empty so the residents do not have to deal with it. He questioned what kind of subsidies would be needed. He asked how many studies have been done on data centers. He inquired if a resident owned the property, would they be allowed to put a data center in. Community Development Director Gladhill responded the study group discussed the lighting concept. There are standards in City Code that protect neighbors from adjacent lighting. However, there is no guarantee that there would not be any spill out of light. He said in terms of security, there will be security needs for the building itself. He noted noise continues to be a concern of the study group, mostly as it relates to generators and HVAC. He said the group is trying to research solutions at this time. Because the City controls its Comprehensive Plan, it can restrict and allow certain users. The question the Council is faced with at the moment, is whether a data center is relevant to the current zoning. He noted the current report does not . require any financial security to tear it down. He explained the subsidies are a variable, and staff is working to try to define that. He stated the study group brought forth studies on data centers, and the amount of information they have received is expansive. As far as allowing anyone else to put in a data center, he said that is the decision before the Council — whether it is good policy. He added a user has not been lined up for the property, and formal discussion will not be handled until the use is decided. Brandon Doyle, 15109 Helium Street, Ramsey, stated he was in study group and agrees with Mr. Cunningham's statements. He gave his opinion that the residents will pay the cost of that facility in terms of feasibility, permits, etc. He said the builders of the data center will have additional expense of noise mitigation and if they are in noncompliance, it costs them. The property loss was never really quantified by a member of city staff. He said he discussed this with realtors and it was reasoned that there would be a 10% loss in terms of value. The taxes will stay the same. City Council / June 10, 2014 Page 9 of 13