Agenda - Council - 11/28/2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.01: Consider Multiple Actions Related to a 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. Motion by Commissioner VanScoy, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to remove this item from the table. Motion Carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Bauer, Commissioners VanScoy, Anderson, Brauer, Gengler, Nosan, and Surma. Voting No: None. Absent: None. Presentation City Planner Anderson presented the Staff Report stating this case was originally reviewed by the Planning Commission at their September 7, 2017 meeting. A Public Hearing was held (and closed) that evening; however, the Planning Commission tabled action so that the Economic Development Authority (EDA) had an opportunity to review and provide feedback specifically on the potential use of the Connexus Energy campus for the proposed solar farm installation. Assistant City Administrator/Economic Development Manager Brama reported the EDA reviewed this case at their September 14, 2017 meeting. Note that their review was specific to the potential use of the outlot owned by Connexus Energy that is part of Connexus' corporate campus. The outlot is essentially rectangular in shape and is approximately 17.5 acres in size. The EDA unanimously supported reserving this land for future economic growth opportunities (commercial/industrial development) rather than for the solar farm being considered. The EDA did not provide any input or feedback on the Anoka County -owned site that is currently being considered for the solar farm. Their motion specifically recommended to City Council that the existing Connexus Energy outlot be reserved for future commercial/industrial use rather than for a solar farm. Staff reported the Environmental Policy Board recommended approval of the Zoning Amendments and Conditional Use Permit. City Staff also supports the recommended approvals as well as the appeal for the issuance of a development permit within an officially mapped area. Commission Business Chairperson Bauer asked if this site were to not move forward if a solar farm would be located in another community. Brian Burandt, Connexus Energy, explained the membership wanted more renewable energy within the cooperative. He explained three solar sites were being sought for Anoka County. He reported Connexus was pursuing Federal grant dollars for these solar farms that would sunset in 2019. He indicated the original vision was to place the solar farm on Connexus property.