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RCA Exhibit A BACKGROUND The subject property, located in Planning District 10, has a Comprehensive Plan Land Use Designation of Community Mixed-Use (CMU) and a zoning classification Community Mixed- Use-2 (CMU-2) District. In the CMU-2 zoning district, created and applied to this parcel on October 26, 2015 by City Council Ordinance 1482 and 1483, permits research and development R&D) uses when conducted indoors and allows outdoor R&D activities as conditional uses. The applicant, Calyxt, Inc., intends to develop a corporate headquarters which includes indoor R&D facilities, greenhouses, and up to five acres of outdoor research plots. The conceptual site plan and written description of the proposed agricultural research activities are included with this RPA as Attachment C. REVIEW OF CONDITIONAL USE REVIEW OF GENERAL CONDITIONAL USE CRITERIA: Section 1009.02C of the City Code establishes general standards and criteria for all conditional uses, and the Planning Commission and City Council must find that each proposed conditional use does or can meet these requirements. The general standards are as follows: The proposed use is not in conflict with the Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan's general goals and policies for mixed-use areas promote redevelopment of this kind of brownfield site as a means toward remediating soil contamination and establishing high- quality employment uses as part of a"rich mix" of uses. The proposal to locate buildings in the southern portion of the site, adjacent to the intersection of Iona Lane and Mount Ridge Road, and to utilize berms and vegetation to mare naturally screen the test plots would largely function as a wide buffer around Langton Lake Park and would advance the goals in the Comprehensive Plan related to minimizing impacts on parks and natural areas in the community. A corporate headquarters office and Ag-Biotech R&D facility as proposed is consistent with the Comprehensive Land Use Plan's specific goals for the Twin Lakes area of Planning District 10 as well, in that it will be high-quality, employment-oriented development. The necessary remediation of contaminated soils will also advance the pertinent goals in the Environmental Protection chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. 2. The proposed use is not in conflict with a Regulating Map or other adopted plan. While full conformance with the Twin Lakes Regulating Plan will be required as the site plan and building design are further developed, Planning Division staff has determined that the proposed location of the test plots to the side and rear of the proposed office and greenhouse structures is not in conflict with the regulating plan. The proposed use is not in conflict with any City Code requirements. The proposed development will need to meet all pertinent regulations, including those related to drainage, environmental impacts, site development, and so on, as the development details are finalized. Based on the proposed, conceptual site plan and operational description, Planning Division staffbelieves that the proposed test plots can easily meet all applicable City Code requirements; moreover, a coND1T1o1vaL [1sE approval can be rescinded if the approved use fails to comply with all applicable Code requirements or any conditions of the approval. 4. The proposed use will not create an excessive burden on parks, streets, and other public facilities. While the proposed test plots are adjacent to Langton Lake Park, they will be well PF15-024 RPCA 120215 Pagea�eo�f`��