Agenda - Planning Commission - 01/08/2015

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May 14, 2014 Location: Fbrama>H::Drive>15153>RndingsF�port DEVB_OPM ENT/ PROCESS HISTORY DATA CENTER OPPORTUNITY I DBV11 R ED, simmer 2012 Subsequent to identifying the Sibject R'opertyas surplus City owned land in 2012, the City was approached by Connexus Energy regarding a potential opportunity to develop the Subject Property for a data center user. Connexus indicated the Subject R'opertywasthe best data center site in Anoka County for the following reasons: proximity to rail, proximity to river, proximity to major roadway, power capacity, power redundancy, proximity to power substation, redundant fiber, water services, sewer services, proximity to fire services, proximity to police services and size of available land. PRBJMINARY CITYREVIEW, Fall 2012 Upon learning of the opportunity presented by Connexus Energy, the City conducted a feasibility study to further analyze the benefit of a potential data center development to the community. Said feasibility report conduded a data center development would result in a substantial tax capacity opportunity for the City of Ramsey. Additionally, in comparison to other business type uses, data centers are abnormally low impact users to surrounding property owners and require a low level of Oty services. As a result, the Ramsey Economic Development Authority (EDA), Planning Commission (PC) and City Council indicated 'preliminary' interest in pursuing a data center development for the Subject Property. In addition to the proposed datacenter development, all three boards also indicated interest in utilizing the Sibject Property for a residential development, if a data center development did not come to fruition. R IST ROUND OF PUBLIC I NPUT, qoring 2013 With preliminary direction provided by the ®A, PCand City Council to further pursue a potential data center development, attention was then shifted to concentrate on public input and feedback regarding the preliminary proposal. Before the Oty moved forward with pursuing a data center development and/or a residential development, the Subject Ropertywould need to be rezoned (currently zoned public/quasi-public). Rezoning the Subject Ropertywould entail a Comprehensive Ran Amendment and a Zoning Amendment. According to nate aatute, a public hearing is required when a Zoning Amendment application is submitted. In advance of submitting a Zoning Amendment Application, and conducting a required public input process, as guided by nate Btatute, the Oty derided to proactively pursue public input related to a the future development of the Subject Property. The purpose of said additional public input wasto make light of any potential issues a data center development would create for surrounding property owners, before an actual data center user steped forward. The outcome of this proactive public input wasto resolve potential land use issues and put the City in position to confidently move forward with pursuing a data center development and/or residential development. Lastly, said proactive measure was intended to provide a future developer with public input information before a standard, nate required, public process took place. CMCStudy Coup, Findings Fbport (DPAF7)