FOR DISCUSSION ONLY: Receive Update on Former Municipal Center Land Use Open House

On April 18, 2013, the City hosted an Open House to discuss potential future land uses for the former municipal center located at 15153 Nowthen Boulevard NW. It is important to note that the City does not have any current development proposal nor Zoning Amendment under review; this process was an attempt to be proactive in advance of potential official requests. Two potential land uses were presented to analyze compatibility with the surrounding development. The concepts included a 47 lot single-family development and a data center. Based on the preliminary analysis of that Open House, the clear preference focused on the single-family concept. For simplicity, the Open House focused on zoning tools. It is acknowledged with any future development, an Comprehensive Plan Amendment will also likely be necessary. A more in depth summary is provided in the Observations section below. The findings and comments of the Open House are attached to this case.

In September, 2006, the City moved City Hall, the Police Department, and Fire Administration functions to the current Ramsey Municipal Center at 7550 Sunwood Drive NW. Prior to that date, City Hall, the Police Department, and Fire Station #2 operated from the now former municipal center located at 15153 Nowthen Boulevard NW. At that time, Fire Administration was located at Fire Station #1 located 15050 Armstrong Boulevard NW. Fire Station #2 still currently operates at the former municipal center.

Since the decision to relocate the Ramsey Municipal Center to its current location, the City has been reviewing acceptable land uses. As several ideas have been suggested for acceptable future land uses, the City Council directed Staff to host an Open House focused on acceptable land uses as a way to pro-actively engage the surrounding Property Owners prior to any development proposal coming forward for City review.

In addition, two (2) important events occurred in in 2011 and 2012 that assisted in framing the format of the Open House. As part of the 2011 City Council Strategic Plan, one (1) goal and implementation strategy was to perform an inventory of all City-Owned land and its ultimate disposition, if any. This process was completed over several months between 2011 and 2012. The former municipal center was identified as a parcel that the City Council desired to sell for future development of some type. At that time, several ideas for future land uses were discussed, but discussion focused on a single-family development.

In addition, the City Council was approached by Connexus Energy in 2012 in regards to areas eligible for development of a data center. According to Connexus Energy, the former municipal center presented itself as an ideal location due to many factors that are generally accepted as best practices in siting such a facility. These factors include, but not limited to its proximity to redundant fiber-optic, redundant electrical service as well as separation from railroads and rivers.

Given the two (2) concepts that have been most recently discussed, the City Council felt that it was important to pro-actively engage the surrounding community to discuss each concept's compatibility with the surrounding development.

No notification is required. Staff attempted to notify surrounding Property Owners via Standard US Mail of the Open House held on April 18, 2013. A notification was also placed on the City's website.

The site currently continues to operate as Fire Station #2. The site is approximately twenty (21) acres and is larger than current needs. The current building does not meet the current space needs of the Fire Department, and much of the building remains vacant while still needing to provide utilities to the vacant portion due to the building systems design.

There are a number of outcomes associated with each land use concept. As previously stated, the preference from Open House participants was clearly the single-family concept. A more detailed analysis of the potential outcomes for each concept listed below is attached to this case as 'Data Center Letter'.

A single-family development would be consistent with those parcels immediately adjacent to the site. This concept appeared to be well received by the Open House participants, as it was a similar used that they were accustomed to. Other outcomes of a single-family development are additional needs for public infrastructure (roads, utilities, etc.) and increased traffic. As with the case with any future development, the City would need to review these standards to ensure proper infrastructure was created to support the development. These items would need to be mitigated prior to development.

In terms of a data center, the land use analysis is more detailed to review compatibility with surrounding land uses. Specific outcomes to the community could include access to additional employment, a higher use of the existing property, larger tax base, and a potential funding source for the replacement of Fire Station #2. Data Centers are becoming increasingly important as technology improves and needs for data storage increase. It is anticipated that there would be less public infrastructure needs (i.e. public roads) to service the area. Other outcomes could include aesthetic, noise, and pollution concerns. Many of these items could be potentially mitigated through an effective zoning ordinance. A data center could currently locate in one of the City's existing employment districts. While not formally analyzed by Staff at this point, the City has been told that available employment district parcels are not conducive due to their proximity to the railroad tracks and their impact to the equipment (i.e. vibrations). In addition, available redundant electricity and fiber-optic cables (high speed data) are important factors. Finally, data centers need to be located in close proximity to an electrical substation.

Comments were received from Open House attendees as well as written and verbal comments received outside of the Open House. In total, the City received twenty-six (26) comments. Of those that responded, twenty-three (23) preferred the residential concept (88%) and three (3) preferred the data center (12%). A detailed analysis is included in the attached Power Point.  Staff received a petition in opposition of a data center development, and in support of a residential development, from surrounding property owners on April 26.  Said petition included 69 signatures and has not been reviewed or analyzed by Staff due to the timing of the submittal. Staff will provide an update at the meeting.

General common inquiries included, but were not limited to the use of the site as a school, park, or renovated Fire Station #2 in place. There were also multiple inquiries as to whether the data center could be sited elsewhere in the community. It should be noted that the Anoka-Hennepin School District does not currently have plans to develop the site as a school for the foreseeable future. The Parks and Recreation Commission has reviewed park needs for the area in the past, and has focused on safe pedestrian connections to other recreation areas in close proximity. The City continues to review future trail and safe pedestrian connection needs for the area.

For those opposed to the data center concept, common comments included concerns with decrease in property value, presence and view of data center being undesirable, compatibility with the character of surrounding properties, noise, and long term risk/potential re-use of the site.

For those accepting of a data center, common comments include traffic impacts for residential uses being undesirable as well as residential development reducing the privacy of surrounding property owners (hours of operation).

The findings of the Open House will also be presented to the Economic Development Authority (EDA). This is tentatively scheduled for May 16, 2013. The findings and feedback from the Planning Commission and EDA is anticipated to be presented to the City Council at the end of May. As previously stated, there is no formal development or zoning proposal under review at this time. The City Council review at the end of May would determine if any next steps are necessary.

Preparation of the current land use analysis is being handled as part of Regular Staff duties.

Based on discussion. Staff would like feedback on a potential second Open House. There was a Winter Storm Warning on April 18, 2013 with many afternoon school closings. With that in mind, Staff still held the Open House but put a notification on the City's website regarding consideration for a second Open House if necessary. The idea was to ensure that participants would attend if they were able to have safe travels. Given the feedback from the Open House and the locations of those participants, Staff recommends that a second Open House may not be necessary at this point, and the City has received sufficient data to prepare a final report. Interested individuals still have the ability to comment on the concepts. Staff would attempt to notify the same mailing list of the update.

No action is being requested. Staff is seeking general feedback on the findings from the April 18, 2013 Open House. Comments will be forwarded as part of the Final Report to City Council, anticipated for the end of May, 2013. Provide feedback on potential second Open House.