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Board Member Hiatt asked if the City has experience with this developer and whether the <br /> developer is attempting to aggressively market the remainder of the site for development. <br /> City Planner Anderson stated that the developer is comfortable that there is a market for this <br /> development, as they have heavily invested their own funds. He confirmed that the City has <br /> positive experience with this developer. <br /> Councilmember LeTourneau stated that the developer is great and although he has trust in the <br /> developer, the details are also memorialized in the agreements. He stated that this is a reasonably <br /> wooded area that will not be very wooded as it develops because it will be an industrial setting. <br /> He stated that he likes the idea that the developer has knowledge on the site lines and where trees <br /> should be placed. He stated that the developer wants the business park to be visible from the <br /> highway, which he also agrees is well thought out. He stated that he agrees with the option of <br /> payment in lieu; meaning that if the necessary inches are not provided,the City have the payment <br /> into the forestry fund. <br /> Board Member Hiatt referenced the residential properties to the north and asked if they are aware <br /> that the land is zoned for industrial. <br /> City Planner Anderson replied that the parcel to the north was originally planned for Legacy <br /> Christian Academy, but that project never materialized and there was a Comprehensive Plan <br /> amendment which involved public input for the rezoning of that property. He stated that the <br /> applicant,PSD,and the neighboring parcel owner,Capstone,have been working together to ensure <br /> there will be adequate screening provided between the two sites. <br /> Motion by Board Member Covart and seconded by Board Member Hiatt to recommend approval <br /> of the Landscape Plan and Tree Inventory Plan contingent upon compliance with the Staff Review <br /> Letter. <br /> Motion carried. Voting Yes: Acting Chairperson Valentine, Board Member Covart, Hiatt, <br /> Anderson, and Bernard. Voting No: None. Absent: Chairperson Stodola and Board Member <br /> Trossen. <br /> 5.03: Discuss Potential Zoning Amendment for Solar Improvements <br /> City Planner Anderson presented the staff report. He explained that Connexus Energy has applied <br /> for a Zoning Amendment and a Conditional Use Permit to construct a new solar garden on the <br /> property legally described as Lot 3 Block 1 River Crossing Addition. He stated that the subject <br /> property is owned by Anoka County and would be leased by Connexus Energy. He noted that <br /> when the City contemplated solar energy systems several years ago,the Zoning Code was amended <br /> to consider ground or building mounted solar energy systems as a permitted accessory use in any <br /> zoning district; However, it did not account for or address the possibility of a solar energy system <br /> being the principal use of a property, as would be the case with Connexus'proposal. He asked for <br /> input the Board may have on a potential Zoning Amendment that would allow for solar energy <br /> systems to be a principal use on a property with the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit. He <br /> stated that the intention would be to bring forward a zoning amendment in August, noting that he <br /> would coordinate with the Community Development Director and Economic Development <br /> Manager to determine if the City would like to see this as a principal use. He displayed a sketch <br /> Environmental Policy Board/July 17, 2017 <br /> Page 4 of 6 <br />