Receive Update on Public Input Process for 15153 Nowthen Blvd NW: Former Municipal Center

General Background
This case is related to the development of City owned land located at 15153 Nowthen Boulevard; known as the Former Municipal Center Site ("Subject Property"). The Subject Property is 21.24 acres in size and is is located in Public/Quasi-Public zoning district.

This site was vacated in 2006, when the City moved its municipal center campus to The COR. Fire Station #2 still currently operates from the former municipal center site.  Since 2006, the City has explored various options for selling the Subject Property in conjunction with the construction of a new fire station on an adjacent City owned site. In 2012, the City was approached by Connexus Energy regarding the development of the Subject Property for a data center(s).

The City is considering two general development scenarios for the Subject Property: data center and single family residential. The City completed a feasibility study on said development scenarios in February 2013 (which included site concept maps); and, a public open house in April 2013.

The next step in the process to develop the Subject Property is to consider the appropriate land use and zoning; specifically: consider submitting an application for a comprehensive plan amendment. Regardless of the future land use, a Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Zoning Amendment shall be required if the site is not to be used for public or quasi-public uses as outlined in the Zoning District.

On June 11, 2013 the City Council directed Staff to further engage surrounding property owners before submitting an application to amend the City's comprehensive plan; specifically, regarding a data center development. A copy of the June 11, 2013 City Council Meeting case is attached as background. Additional information is available on the project webpage at www.cityoframsey.com/formerrmc.

On July 9, 2013, the City Council approved the format for the public input process. A copy of the July 9, 2013 is also attached for review.

Purpose of Case
To update the Planning Commission on the format chosen by the City Council for this public input process and update on the proposed timeline.

There is no notification required at this stage. However, Staff has previously attempted to notify surrounding Property Owners of various stages preceeding this discussion and set up a project webpage at www.cityoframsey.com/formerrmc.

The City Council directed a Study group would consist of ten (10) total participants: one (1) Councilmember, one (1) EDA member, one (1) Planning Commission member, five (5) adjacent property owners and two (2) at large property owners. It is estimated, a study group will need to meet four (4) to (6) times. Staff is currently developing a process for selecting interested individuals.

Study Group Goal: The purpose of the Study Group is to better understand under what circumstances would a data center development be an acceptable use for the Subject Property. The key outcome of this process is a proposal for Council consideration; which will include (1) further documentation/information addressing specific concerns (2) mitigation proposals addressing specific concerns (3) updated site concept maps.

NOTE: The purpose of a study group is IDENTIFY and CONSIDER compromises/ solutions; it is possible the focus group may conclude certain concerns cannot be mitigated.

Staff would host an initial scoping meeting to review current assumptions and purpose of the study group. Participants would then be responsible for formulating the schedule and content of the remainder of the sessions and be active in coordinating the individual sessions.

Process
A hybrid, collaborative process was approved by the City Council that includes elements of desired structure of a traditional process with the collaborative environment of Open Space Technology (the process used in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan and Ramsey3 processes). The process is designed to allow participants to set the agenda and convene sessions. In other words, the agenda would not be set by the City or a facilitator ahead of time. An initial Scoping Meeting would be held to review the current status of the project and the purpose of the study group. Rather than hosting several, parallel sessions as with the case with Open Space Technology, the group would convene as a single group throughout the process. The group would come to a consensus as to the agenda and topics as part of the initial Scoping Meeting, but could amend depending on conversation throughout. This process would entail that the agenda be prepared by participants at the onset of the process and agreed to a structured outline for the process as part of the scoping meeting and individual sessions coordinated by participants with the assistance of assistance from City Staff.

Benefits: This process balances an open, transparent, and collaborative process with a well defined structure that is developed by participants rather than the City or a facilitator. Following the initial Scoping Meeting, Staff can report back with a better estimate of time and costs based on an agenda prepared by the Study Group. With a slightly more structure approach to the Open Space Technology concept, Staff estimates that this process would be slightly shorter than said approach.

Considerations: This process will require that the initial Scoping Meeting be completed before a more concrete estimation of costs and timelines when compared to a traditional, structured Study Group. It is estimated that this process will be a slightly longer timeframe that the traditional, structured process, consisting of possibly one (1) to two (2) additional meetings.

Estimations: five (5) to seven (7) meetings, two (2) to three (3) months. The start date has not yet been determined. Staff is working on prioritizing current workload to better determine the appropriate start date.

All costs associated with this process are being handled as part of normal Staff duties.

This case is for update only. No action is being requested.

This case is for update only. No action is being requested.