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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – DECEMBER 21, 2015 3 <br /> <br /> <br /> Text Amendment to define a Solar Energy System and revise the purpose of the Conservation <br />District (CD). <br /> Text Amendment to add Solar Energy System to the Land Use Chart and include design <br />standards for solar developments. <br /> <br />City Planner Streff noted that the City was preparing to rezone the Primer Tracer Area to a <br />Conservation District in 2014; however, because Ramsey County was in negotiations with the Federal <br />Government, it was decided the City would pursue rezoning at a future date following acquisition of <br />the property by Ramsey County. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden asked if Xcel Energy submitted a proposal to the State of Minnesota. <br /> <br />Paul Lehman stated he is not familiar with that particular RFP but does not believe so. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that Xcel and Ramsey County wanted to be <br />made aware of any City Council concerns regarding rezoning for the Primer Tracer Area. She noted the <br />proposed approach to the rezoning was also discussed with the City Attorney. <br /> <br />Josh Olson, Ramsey County Community and Economic Development, indicated Paul Lehmann and <br />Jerry Dittman of Xcel Energy would provide more detailed information regarding technical aspects and <br />associated policies pertaining to solar arrays. He stated the concept for the solar array in the Primer <br />Tracer Area stemmed from work performed cooperatively by the Joint Development Authority (JDA) <br />and the Energy Resilience Advisory Board (ERAB). This framework was the foundation for the Energy <br />Integration Resiliency Framework (EIRF) and was adopted by the JDA in April 2015. The EIRF <br />identified two time sensitive opportunities: solar PV array proposed in the Primer Tracer Area and <br />capturing thermal energy from the Army’s ground water treatment system for heating and cooling of <br />future development within Rice Creek Commons. <br /> <br />Josh Olson stated that Ramsey County is currently negotiating with the GSA and feels progress is <br />being made. He said that access for utilities and vehicles will be a challenge and that there will be <br />some remediation necessary for this site. He also indicated that the Federal tax credit that was <br />associated with this project was set to expire at the end of 2016 but has now been extended. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant asked if there were any changes to the work session agenda. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden stated she would like to table Agenda Item 1.D. Outdoor Display and Sales <br />Zoning Regulations until a future work session. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant tabled Agenda Item 1.A. Ramsey County Transportation Update as the presentation <br />occurred earlier in the evening. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung had no changes to the work session agenda. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant stated the work session agenda was adopted as not containing Agenda Items 1.A. and <br />1.D. <br /> <br />Discussion returned to the solar array project. <br />