Agenda - Economic Development Authority - 09/14/2017

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As noted, the Subject Property is owned by Anoka County and was initially acquired to accommodate a future bridge crossing. In 2007, the Subject Property was designated with an Official Map to prevent future development from occurring in advance of the bridge crossing. However, the current Highway 10 Access Planning Study no longer identifies this parcel as needed for a potential bridge crossing (with the new Armstrong Blvd overpass alignment). The Planning Commission will need to take action on an appeal to issue any type of development permit on the Subject Property per City Code Section 117-4 (Official Map). As part of the Official Map process in 2007, it was noted that the Subject Property was zoned R-2 Residential and that the intention was to re -guide the parcel as Public/Quasi-Public with the 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update and then subsequently rezone the parcel to Public/Quasi Public. That action did not occur. However, based on the current owner of the Subject Property (Anoka County) and the proposed use (solar farm), it seems reasonable to rezone the property as Public/Quasi-Public (this would also complete the stated intent when the area was officially mapped) and to amend the uses of that zoning district to identify Solar Energy Systems as a principal use with the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit (this district already identifies municipal and private substations as a permitted use). The Environmental Policy Board (EPB) was introduced to this concept at their July meeting and then officially reviewed this request at their August meeting. Questions that the EPB had asked are outlined below along with the responses from the solar developer and/or Connexus Energy. • Nuisance noise: The solar energy system will not have any moving parts (fans, panel movement/rotation, etc.) and therefore there should be no discernible noise generated, with the exception of the initial installation of the solar farm. The battery storage units would include air conditioning. As with any air conditioning system, the air condensing units would be outside and would generate some noise, but should be within allowable standards. • Glare: The panels will be at a fixed tilt, permanently facing south (away from Highway 10), and manufactured with anti -reflective glass specifically designed to reduce glare. A glare study was provided by the solar developer. While it does indicate some glare would be produced at a particular receptor (near the southern touch -down point of the Armstrong Blvd overpass), it is minimal and has low potential to create any after -image. • Environmental Benefits/Impacts: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, few power generating technologies have as little environmental impact as photovoltaic solar panels. A ground mounted solar array generates electricity without any moving parts, requires no water, and produces no direct emissions. Underneath the ground mounted equipment, native vegetation will be established, providing pollinator habitat as well as erosion control and stormwater runoff benefits. Connexus noted that all power generated by this solar energy system would remain in Ramsey. • Final Site Plan plans are being developed presently. Their design team is completing field work on the Subject Property necessary to complete the final design and Site Plan. However, it is not anticipated to have any significant impacts to the conceptual layout provided. While a complete Site Plan is not yet available, consideration of and a recommendation regarding the requested Appeal for a development permit, the Zoning Amendments (both text and map), and Conditional Use Permit can still be addressed. The EPB recommended approval of the Zoning Amendments and Conditional Use Permit with the following conditions (which have been incorporated into the draft Conditional Use Permit): • Submittal of final Site Plan for review and approval by the City. • Submittal of a Glare Study (already received). • Submittal of a Decommissioning Plan (how the site will be deconstructed and restored upon the abandonment of the operation). • Installation of native, sustainable landscape underneath the ground mounted equipment. The City's Comprehensive Plan does address solar access protection within the Land Use Chapter. One of the identified policies for solar access protection is to work with the League of Minnesota Cities, University of Minnesota Extension Services, Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance, Anoka County, and other agencies to develop programs that increase the use of solar energy systems. It appears that the proposed project would further this policy. Note that the attached, draft Conditional Use Permit was prepared as if the Zoning Amendments, both the text and