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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — JULY 14, 2025 7 Councilmember Holden asked what Construction Contractor Yard is. City Administrator Jagoe said the consultant would have to provide a definition for as it doesn't exist today. It could be outdoor storage. Something accessory to a lumber yard. They may have additional equipment, vehicles, trailers or materials. Councilmember Holden does not like that one. Council agreed. That use will be stricken from the options. Councilmember Rousseau asked if the consultants clarified her previous question on data centers. City Administrator Jagoe said a data center is not currently allowed. She asked if council wants the consultant to bring back some language on that use and districts. Councilmember Rousseau is not in favor of allowing data centers. There a lack of jobs and there are constraints on resources like water and the wear and tear on the piping. Mayor Grant asked how other cities handle that. City Administrator Jagoe said other cities allow these but she did not request that the consultants look into what standards other cities have. She can ask them to look into those standards, if Council would like to give that direction. Mayor Grant would be in favor of having data centers on the table. It's an item companies are going to want to have in the future. He doesn't think we should rule them out. Councilmember Weber said that was discussed at the Planning Commission. He said both sides were presented. They are going to be needed for the storage but they are resource heavy. He leans towards not allowing them because of how resource intensive they are. Councilmember Holden would like more information about them. We could limit the size, it doesn't have to be massive. Mayor Grant thought it could be permitted with standards. Councilmember Weber said there is the PUD process, as well. Councilmember Rousseau is not in favor of them. You can put a data center anywhere else in the country and it will still serve the same purpose to the people in our community. City Administrator Jagoe pointed out that if something is not in the code, you can't use the PUD process. The code would have to be changed to allow it. Councilmember Holden said the same could be said about thrift stores or a grocery store. They can serve customers from anywhere. She doesn't think that's a valid argument to eliminate the option.