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it ci <br />Elk* <br />River <br />Request for Action <br />To <br />Item Number <br />Mayor and City Council <br />10.2 <br />Agenda Section <br />Meeting Date <br />Prepared by <br />Work Session <br />June 7, 2021 <br />Zack Carlton, Planning Manager <br />Item Description <br />Reviewed by <br />Concept Review: MMPA Zoning and Land Use <br />Cal Portner City Administrator <br />Amendment <br />Reviewed by <br />Action Requested <br />Review the proposed project and provide the applicant with informal, non -binding, feedback. <br />Background/Discussion <br />The applicant, Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA), owns <br />approximately 300 acres of property along the northern edge of the <br />city. They also own another adjacent 85 acres over the city limits in <br />Livonia Township. MMPA is looking at development opportunities <br />for this parcel and has proposed a rezoning and land use amendment <br />to allow industrial development. <br />The proposal rezones the property to I-3 (General Industrial), which <br />allows a range of industrial uses that do not require city services. As <br />this property is well outside the urban service area, the uses are limited <br />to those that do not require sewer/water, and the I-3 district reflects <br />those limitations. The target industries include energy intensive and <br />high -paying manufacturing and technology -oriented uses — data <br />centers are of primary focus. The applicant's narrative describes <br />characteristics of data centers and their fit within the community. <br />Comprehensive Plan <br />The Comprehensive Plan guides this property for <br />mining/development reserve and rural residential uses, which matches <br />the zoning and adjacent land uses. The applicant also references <br />multiple locations within the Comprehensive Plan that support their <br />desired development as an industrial/job creator. <br />Considerations <br />While the use does meet some of the goals of the Comprehensive Plan, the City Council should consider the <br />following: <br />The Elk River Vision <br />A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional <br />service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity. <br />P I I E I 1 0 IY <br />NATURE <br />Updated. August 2020 <br />