HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.10.24 Planning MinutesCITY OF FARMINGTON
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
September 10th, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Rotty at 7:00pm
Members Present: Rotty, Lehto, Tesky, Windschitl, Snobeck
Staff Present: Tony Wippler, Planning Manager
Jared Johnson, Planning Coordinator
Deanna Kuennen, Community & Economic Development
Director
Leah Koch, City Attorney
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Windschitl, second by Lehto to approve minutes of Planning Commission
for August 14th, 2024, regular meeting. APIF, MOTION CARRIED
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Chair Rotty opened all public hearings
3.1 1. Preliminary Plat and Preliminary Planned Unit Development for the
Farmington Technology Park- MNLCO Farmington, LLC & MCLCO Farmington Two,
LLC (Tract).
2. Rezoning of the Fountain Valley Golf Course and property formerly known
as the Angus property from B-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, P/OS and A-1 to MUCI-Kimley-horn
City Attorney, Leah Koch, made a statement the AUAR (Alternative Urban Areawide
Review) can run concurrently with preliminary planning for this process. Planning
Manager Tony Wippler presented. The preliminary plat consists of 3 lots over
342.81 acres of land. Site plan is subject to change based on end user.
• Lot 1, Block 1- 155.20 acres, northern portion of data center campus
• Lot 2, Block 1- 2.07 acres, to be deeded to city for utility purposes
• Lot 1, Block 2- 185.54 acres, southern portion of data center campus
• 75ft wide drainage & utility, roadway and trail easement is provided along
the eastern portion of Lot 1, Block 1- preserve for the future Biscayne Ave.
corridor for Dakota County.
Representative Site Plan-
• Provide for up to 12 data center buildings and 2 administrative
buildings between north and south campuses.
• The square footage of data centers on north campus site is 1,600,400
square feet and 933,800 square feet on the southern campus.
• Building setbacks to be substantially greater than generally allowed
in MUCI district. Proposed setbacks minimum of 250ft from
properties adjacent to residential uses and 150ft from any property
line adjacent to a non-residential use.
• Applicant is proposing 40ft wide natural buffer around the majority
of perimeter of site with intent to retain as many existing trees as
practical.
• Additional Berming, up to 10ft high, will be placed within the natural
buffer area to provide additional screening and visual aesthetics.
• Perimeter fencing, up to 14ft high will be provided. Fencing will be
located outside the natural buffer area.
• 4 Anticipated access for the campuses- Northern campus includes on
access of MN 50 (220th St. W) and one off of 225th St. W. Southern
campus includes accesses off 225th St. W and Biscayne Ave.
• Proposed development standards would require 1 parking space for
each 1,000 sq. ft. of office space. Parking spaces would not be required
for the designated data hall areas.
• Cash in lieu will be taken instead of land with this plat application
• A future trail will be constructed in 75ft wide drainage & utility,
roadway & trail easement if and when Dakota County constructs
Biscayne Ave.
Tract is proposing development be approved as a Planned Unit Development suggest
standards be established and include language on the following:
▸Setbacks ▸ Natural Buffers ▸Landscaping ▸Easement for future County Rd.
▸ General Design Standards ▸ Building Height ▸ Fence Height ▸ Noise
▸ Electric Utility Lines ▸Parking ▸ Substations exemptions from MUCI
▸Private Communication Towers ▸ Maximum Lot Coverage
Rezone request:
• Rezone PID #'s 07-00500-76-011 and 07-00500-76-012 from A-1
(Agriculture) to MUCI (Mixed-Use Commercial/Industrial).
• Rezone 2830 220th Street W from B-1 (Highway Business), R-1 (Low Density
Residential), R-2 (Low/Medium Density Residential), R-3 (Medium Density
Residential) and P/OS (Park and Open Space) to MUCI (Mixed-Use
Commercial/Industrial).
• Data centers are permitted use in MUCI zoning district.
Discussion opened for resident comments:
Robert Jones on 12th St.- Would like more information about TRACT company and
was curious about the tax benefits.
David Puchalla 224th St. - Requested committee vote against zoning amendment.
Denise May 22265 Bearing Ave.-Read email she had sent to mayor and city council
objecting the location of the data center.
Jeff Schottler 22240 Calhoun Ct.- Requested vote against the amendment due to it
being between two residential neighborhoods.
Kathy Johnson- Shared specifics and concerns regarding noise and the constant hum.
Requested a vote of no.
Sarah Fry, Executive Estates- Discussed the property tax disbursement not just
going to City of Farmington. Has concerns with tonal noise. Requested a no vote.
Stacy King Canova Ct- Worried about quality of life, shared why her neighborhood
is important to her & her worries that it will be affected by this being built.
Patrick Rugg 20115 Farrington St.-Has environmental concerns with water use.
Not against a data center just concerns with location.
Andy Berg 22255 Calhoun Ct- Shared concerns that it is surrounded by residential
and there may be better locations for this.
Jason Fuller 3015 224th–Concerned about lack of buffer between homes & center.
Esther Varga – 3994 224th- Asked commission to pursue different location
Dave Akin Beaumont Ave.- Concerned with water resources are being taken away.
Ryan Peach Executive Estates- Would like a different location.
Drea Doffing 220th St.- Concerned about cost to community in the future and would
like it to be constructed in different location.
Attorney David Keller with Grannis & Hauge- for the environmental coalition
group. Objects to zoning changes as it is a single use. The water consumption
estimates are higher than the original zoning.
Drew Roach 312 11th St-Shared concerns about power grid usage.
Ian English Crimson Way- Asks commission will listen to people who have spoken.
Jacob Steen with Larkin Hoffman-Did share they will be compliant with Minnesota
law for noise and will conduct a noise study. For the water the “worst” case is a 17
million gallons increase from current use.
Chair Rotty asked if building construction is tip up? Mr. Steen answered they have not yet
done designs and at that time the commission could give input. He estimates starting closer
to 2027. Chair Rotty asked what access they would use for construction. Mr. Steen they would
anticipate both North and South points to be entered and the developer would incur those
costs of upgrades/improvements to the roads. Chair Rotty asked if they know elevations. He
did not have with him, but they do have on the surveys. Chair Rotty then questioned how
many communication towers. Mr. Steen stated they don’t have numbers yet but if needed
they will do. Chair Rotty asked if it will be evaporated cooled or electric cooled. Mr. Steen said
due to rapid technology changes they are not sure what will be used.
Chari Rotty asked Can they explain concept of recycled water, Mr. Steen replied that they
would re-use what they can. Depending on the end user the equipment needs will be different.
Chari Rotty then asked will there be a photometric study done. Mr. Steen said depending on
project they will complete at that time. He then asked about keeping trees and Mr. Steen said
they will keep as much as they can to help create natural buffer.
Chair Rotty asked could this impact any residents wells? Mr. Steen said this would draw off
of the city sources. This would be a less intense draw than if the site was developed as straight
housing. Mr. Steen shared they are estimating over 200 jobs when open and up to 1500
during construction.
Commissioner Lehto asked based on end user there may be less buildings than drawn,
possibility of other sites and quality of life for residents . Mr. Steen agreed this plan is a
maximum build out of property, it could be less. He then said this site is an optimal site based
on access to utilities, he said they are always looking at other sites. They do understand the
concern for the values, previous sites have maintained their value or had increases.
Commissioner Snobeck asked when end user comes in that everything will come through the
city council and planning commission to ensure all regulations and rules are met. Mr. Steen
stated that each phase will be presented to the council for approval.
Jerry Ristow 941 8th St. -Made a comment for commissioner to think about if this is
best fit for this land.
Chair Rotty shared they visited various sites in Iowa, the technology has changed already for
cooling (not water) and the surroundings looked like a park not a business.
MOTION by Windschitl second by Tesky to close public hearing. APIF MOTION CARRIED
MOTION by Lehto, second by Snobeck to make favorable recommendation to the council for
the plat, PUD, and re-zoning to the Farmington Technology Park. APIF MOTION CARRIED
4. DISCUSSION
4.1 Vermillion Commons 4th Addition Final Plat and Planned Unit Development.
Planning Manager Tony Wippler presented the request from Lennar for the final
plat and PUD Vermillion Commons 4th Addition.
• Consists of 67 single-family lots over 25.93 acres.
• Consistent with the approved preliminary plat. Preliminary plat also includes
66 townhome lots to be developed at later date.
• Property to be rezoned R-3 Planned Unit Development.
• Average lot size is 6,198 square feet, with a minimum of 4,800 square feet.
• Plat contains 3 outlots:
o Outlot A- Parkland to be dedicated with this plat.
o Outlot B- Stormwater facility to be deeded to the City of Farmington
with this final plat.
o Outlot C- Future townhome development area.
• Transportation & Access:
o Access to this site will be at the south end of the plat with the
connection of 218th St. W with 220th St. W
o 218th St. W will not be extended from the townhome development to
the east with this plat due to negotiations with Northern Natural Gas
and the crossing of their pipelines with the roadway. This creates only
one access point for egress and ingress to the 4th Addition (218th St W
at 220th St W).
o Developer has agreed to construct temporary bituminous emergency
access that would extend from the terminus of Rose Dr. S through
Outlot C to 220th St. W. Signage and barricades required at both ends
of temporary emergency access to control unauthorized access. The
connection of this emergency access will have to be approved by
Dakota County.
o All public roads will consist of a 60-foot right-of-way with 32-foot-
wide roadway.
• Parks, Trails and Sidewalks
• A 1.5 acres park is proposed on the northern end of the development
(Outlot A).
• Five-foot-Wide sidewalk proposed on west side of Rose Dr., south side
of and ease side of 218th St. W
• Dakota County has a 12-foot-wide-trail, drainage and utility easement
that was granted in 2022 running along the western and northern
boundary of plat. Easement is shown on plat document.
MOTION by Tesky, second by Snobeck to approve final plat and pud upon satisfaction
of contingencies. APIF, MOTION CARRIED
5. ADJURN
MOTION by Windschitl, second by Lehto to Adjourn. APIF, MOTION CARRIED
Respectfully submitted,
Tony Wippler, Planning Manager