Minutes - Council - 11/14/2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Walker stated that the franchise fee method may be a better method for funding. Jim Greg, 7921 163`d Lane, stated that he signed the petition but did not sign it to say stop all maintenance on the road. He stated that the project was presented quickly, and he appreciates the City maintenance of the road. He stated that the road was overdue for overlays in the past 20 years. He stated that his opposition was in regard to the entire reconstruction of the road. Mayor Strommen noted that the road will not improve on its own and therefore after the period of the petition expires, the topic will come forward again. Councilmember LeTourneau thanked the residents present who attended tonight. Motion by Councilmember LeTourneau, seconded by Councilmember Shryock, to acknowledge the petition in opposition to the project #18-01 has been filed with the City and direct City staff to cease all work on Improvement Project#18-01. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Strommen, Councilmembers LeTourneau, Shryock, Johns, and Kuzma. Voting No: None. Absent: Councilmember Riley. 7. COUNCIL BUSINESS 7.01: Consider Approvals Related to Connexus Energy Solar Array (Project No. 17-135); Case of Connexus Energy 1. Ordinance Amending Official Zoning Map to Guide the Property as Public/Quasi-Public to Guide Future Uses 2. Ordinance Amendment Zoning Code Amending Allowable Uses in the Public/Quasi-Public District Allowing Solar Energy Systems as a Conditional Use Permit 3. Resolution #17-11-289 Approving Conditional Use Permit Community Development Director Gladhill reviewed the staff report and recommendation to approve the project with the necessary actions. He noted that both private and municipal substations are already permitted uses within the Public/Quasi-Public District. He stated that it seems reasonable to also consider solar energy systems as a principal use of property in this district as a conditional use. He noted that this would not only encourage development of this renewable energy source but would also still afford the City to address requests on a case by case basis and apply reasonable conditions to an approval. He reviewed and addressed some of the issues that were raised at the public hearing, and since the public hearing, including concern regarding aesthetics, property values, financial surety, landscape buffering, whether this would deter future development, whether this is the best location, and the timing of the approval. Brian Burandt, Connexus Energy, stated that this project is one of three sites being brought forward in Anoka County. He stated that they began the search for a site in Ramsey to be a showcase for the project. He noted that this would be the largest solar storage project in the state City Council/November 14, 2017 Page 8 of 14