Agenda - Economic Development Authority - 09/14/2017

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Economic Development Authority (EDA) Meeting Date: 09/14/2017 Submitted For: Tim Gladhill, Community Development By: Eric Maass, Community Development 4. 1. Title: Review Status of Request to Install and Maintain a Ground -Mounted Solar Energy System on the Property Legally Described as Lot 3, Block 1 River Crossing Addition (Project No. 17-135); Case of Connexus Energy 1. Appeal for issuance of a Development Permit on an officially mapped parcel. 2. Zoning Amendment to include Solar Energy Systems as a principal use with the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit in the Public/Quasi-Public District. 3. Zoning Amendment to rezone a property from R-2 Residential to Public/Quasi Public. 4. Conditional Use Permit to install and maintain a Solar Energy System. Purpose/Background: The purpose of this case is to receive an update from Connexus on a site selection process they have completed related to a new 19 acre solar farm proposed to be constructed in Ramsey. This case is being reviewed with the EDA in response from public comments received at the Public Hearing held by the Planning Commission on September 7, 2017. One of the comments received was that the Connexus Energy Campus is a better suited site from a land use planning perspective than the currently proposed parcel. Many of the Planning Commissioners shared this feeling, but wanted to better understand the economic development implications of this alternative. To arrive at that discussion, Staff has recommended that Connexus Energy provide an overview of how Connexus arrived at the current proposal through their site evaluation process. Connexus Energy has applied for a Zoning Amendment and a Conditional Use Permit to construct a new solar garden on the property legally described as Lot 3, Block 1 River Crossing Addition (the "Subject Property"). The system would have the capability of producing 3.5 megawatts (MW) with ground mounted solar photovoltaic panels and would include 6 MW of battery energy storage. This is one of three (3) sites within Anoka County that Connexus Energy is developing to produce solar energy. The Subject Property is owned by Anoka County and would be leased by Connexus Energy. When the City contemplated solar energy systems several years ago, the Zoning Code was amended to consider ground or building mounted solar energy systems as a permitted accessory use in any zoning district. However, it did not account for, or address, the possibility of a solar energy system being the principal use of a property, as would be the case with Connexus' proposal. Both the current zoning standards for solar energy systems and the information submitted by Connexus are attached for reference. The final design plans are in the process of being prepared by the solar developer (based on site work being conducted now) but are not complete at this time. They have stated that they do not anticipate any major changes from the initial proposed layout and the Site Plan would still be subject to review and approval by the City. Notification: Notification is not required for EDA review, but was provided as part of the Public Hearing held with the Planning Commission. Observations/Alternatives: