03-08-23-PC Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 3 of 6 AHATS Background The AHATS property is owned by the Federal Government and used primarily by the Minnesota National Guard as the Arden Hills Army Training Site. Within the site, there is approximately 62 +/- acres that is commonly referred to as the “Primer Tracer Area”. This portion of the property was previously used as a manufacturing facility for the production of component primers and tracing compounds associated with small caliber ammunition production. Back in 2015, Ramsey County in partnership with Xcel Energy had considered purchasing the Primer Tracer area from the Federal Government. The preliminary concept was for 20+ acres to be developed for an Emergency Management Center and 40+ acres would be a solar array supporting energy initiatives of the Rice Creek Commons site. Due to logistical and economic factors, Xcel Energy informed all parties that they would no longer be considering the Primer Tracer site as a future solar project location. At the time, the City did have draft language to allow for a solar array on the Primer Tracer site, but did not move the language forward for approval as the project with Xcel did not move forward. Beyond that, the City has not studied or completed an analysis of potential future uses for this site. Today, the Federal Government has once again expressed an intent to sell the Primer Tracer Property “as is” through GSA Auctions. A Future Buyer would be responsible for handling all of the processes associated with the future development of the site (i.e. land use approval, demolition and cleanup, permitting, etc.). General Services Administration (GSA) is a Federal Agency that manages real estate, acquisition, technology, and other mission-support services across the government. GSA Auctions facilitates the disposal of property owned by the Federal Government. Last summer, GSA Auctions made the City aware that an auction would be upcoming. Since that time, the auction has been postponed several times for unknown reasons. Currently, the GSA website says the auction will open on April 24, 2023. Unrelated to this land use application, the City Council was presented a concept plan in January from a potential bidder that was conducting their due diligence prior to the auction. This review was for a high-level concept discussion to present an overview of future industrial development scenarios and gauge the City’s perspective of potential future vision(s) for this site. The City Council provided general feedback on the site layout options presented. Representatives for the concept review were encouraged to research the feasibility of incorporating solar facilities on the roofs of the industrial buildings and/or a standalone solar array. Zoning Code Text Amendments The purpose of the Conservation District is to provide a holding zone for federally owned lands on the AHATS property to ensure that future development is staged, maintains a sustainable level of public expenditures for utilities and services, and protects those areas generally determined to be unsuitable for development. According to the Applicant, a solar energy facility would be consistent with the purpose of the Conservation District in that it will generate and provide electricity to existing and future development in the area. Currently the city code is absent of land use language permitting ground mounted solar array systems in any of the zoning districts. To allow this land use, the City’s Zoning Code would need to be amended to add a definition for a Solar Energy System and to designate this type of land use as a conditional use in the Conservation