HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.12.24 Planning MinutesCITY OF FARMINGTON
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
November 12th, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Rotty at 7:00pm
Members Present: Rotty, Lehto, Windschitl, Snobeck, Tesky
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Tony Wippler, Planning Manager
Jared Johnson, Planning Coordinator
Deanna Kuennen, Community & Economic Development
Director
Leah Koch, City Attorney
Rita Trapp, HKGi
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Windschitl, second by Tesky to approve minutes of Planning Commission
for October 8th, 2024, regular meeting. APIF, MOTION CARRIED
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Chair Rotty opened all public hearings.
3.1 Combined Preliminary and Final Plat for Akin Knoll- Planning Coordinator
Johnson the applicant has requested continuation while they make adjustments to their
plans.
MOTION by Tesky second by Lehto to continue until the December Planning Commission
Meeting. APIF MOTION CARRIED.
4. DISCUSSION
4.1 Final Plat and Planned Unit Development-Farmington Technology Park – Planning
Manager Wippler presented The City of Farmington seeking to amend the 2040
Comprehensive plan on behalf of Tract. Farmington Technology Park consists of three
parcels:
• Fountain Valley Golf Course (PID #4-00500-01-012) owned by Bryce & Carole Olson
• Former Angus property (PID#’s 07-00500-76-011 & 07-00500-76012 owned by ISD
192
Final Plat-
• Consists of 3 lots over 338.35 acres
o Lot 1, Block 1- 150.74 acres, northern portion of data center campus.
o Lot 2, Block 1- 2.07 acres, to be deeded to city for utility purposes.
o Lot 1, Block 2-185.54 acres, southern portion of data center campus. This lot
is encumbered with approximately 69 acres of floodplain.
• 75-foot-wide right-of-way along eastern boundary of Lot 1, Block 1 for future Dakota
County Biscayne Avenue. Biscayne Avenue will not be constructed as part of this
development.
• City Council approved preliminary plat and preliminary PUD on November 4, 2024.
The final plat is consistent with the approved preliminary plat.
• Tract is proposing a master planned data center technology park that could provide:
o Up to 12 data center buildings and 2 administrative buildings (up to 6 data
center buildings and 1 administrative building per lot)
o Square footage of data centers on the northern campus up to 1,600,400
square feet and up to 933,800 square feet on southern campus.
o Northwest corner of Lot 1, Block 1 labeled “Reserved for future electric
utilities”. This is potential location of an electric substation.
o Future site plans will be required to be approved by Planning Commission
prior to construction of any data center building and ancillary use.
• Four anticipated accesses’ for the campuses:
o North Campus- MN 50 and 225th St W
o South Campus- 225th St. W and Biscayne Ave.
o Turn lane improvements will be required on TH 3 and MN 50
Tract is proposing the development be approved as PUD and suggest certain development
standards be established and include language on the following:
○ Building Setbacks ○ Natural Buffers ○ Landscaping ○ General Design Standards
○ Building Height ○ Fences ○ Electric Utility Lines ○ Noise ○ Parking ○ Substations
○Private Communication Towers ○ Maximum Lot Coverage ○ Lighting
Chair Rotty asked Planning Manager Wippler to clarify about the PUD ordinance. He stated
that this will be for all PUD’s moving forward to have easier access to requirements in code
instead of in each PUD.
Commissioner Lehto asked to describe the difference between final plat and site plan.
Planning Manager Wippler explained the plat maps out the parcel. The site plan is to identify
building location, parking lots etc.
Jacob Steen from Tract explained regarding building height they are going to go to every foot
over 50ft they would go back 5ft instead of 2ft. Commissioner Windschitl asked about
requiring 10ft for berms and why they chose that size vs. bigger, Mr. Steen explained that they
wanted to start at the minimum with additional landscaping before doing a larger berm and
have flexibility moving forward. He then asked about the perimeter fencing being on the
outside of the berm instead of inside. Mr. Steen stated due to existing fences and security
reasons that it was ideal spot, there will still be a security fence further in property line.
Commissioner Lehto asked estimated loss for the current homeowners for open space behind
their homes, he estimates 2-6ft depending on the home. She then asked about low frequency
noise mitigation, effects etc. Mr. Steen said until they have the specific equipment placed, they
can’t state what will need to be done. Commissioner Snobeck asked about berm heights and
what affect changing from 10ft to a higher (15ft/20ft). Mr. Steen stated they can review case
by case once the buildings are set. Chair Rotty asked their timeline. Mr. Steen said it will be in
phases to build out, work should begin in next year or two but up to 7 years for full build out.
MOTION by Commissioner Windschitl, second by Lehto for positive recommendation to
council upon meeting the city contingency of development contract between developer and
City of Farmington shall be executed and security and fees paid. Submission of all other
documents required under the development contract shall be required. APIF MOTION
CARRIED
4.2 Cannabis Legislations and Regulations- Rita Trapp from HKGi presented draft
standards.
• Definitions
o Cannabis Cultivation-a use involving the licensed growing and harvesting
cannabis.
o Cannabis of Hemp Mfg.-an establishment or use of land which involves the
compounding, processing, packaging, wholesaling, testing, treatment,
transportation, or delivery of cannabis or hemp products
o Cannabis Retail-a licensed establishment where cannabis flowers, immature
cannabis plants and seedlings, and related products as allowed by law are
sold to individual consumers who are at least 21 years of age.
o Lower Potency Hemp Edible Retail-a licensed establishment where lower
hemp edible products are sold to individual consumers who are at least 21
years of age.
• Uses & Districts- Proposed in A-1, B-1, B-2, B-3, SSMU, MUCI, and I
• Cannabis Standards
o General consensus to not require buffers from schools, daycares, parks or
residential treatment facilities for any cannabis uses.
o City should establish limit for retail businesses “no more than one business
per 12,500 residents.” Maximum of two retail businesses based on current
population.
o Hours of operation:
▪ Cannabis retail 8:00am-10:00pm Monday-Saturday and 10:00am-
9:00pm on Sundays.
▪ Lower Potency hemp edible retail prohibited between 2:00am-
8:00am Monday to Saturday and 2:00am-10:00am on Sundays.
o Designed to match as closely as possible to hours for off and on-sale liquor.
o Hemp hours match the state’s requirements.
o As conditional uses, all cannabis uses would be required to meet standards in
section 10-3-5 of Zoning Code.
o City may consider creating additional standards for certain/all cannabis
businesses i.e.; Site security, prohibition of outdoor storage
Commissioner Snobeck asked if there could be a similar situation where you can buy a cigar
and smoke it at the shop. City Attorney Leah Koch stated there is a possibility for the State to
allow onsite consumption. Planning Manager Wippler stated if the city were to do a municipal
retail store it would not count as one of the two permitted retail establishments.
Commissioner Lehto asked about individual growing in the home, is it licensed by the state,
City Attorney Leah Koch said it is not regulated by the state.
Ms. Trapp then discussed the next steps:
• Create ordinance language
• December 10th Public Hearing at Planning Commission
• December 16th City Council Adoption
5. ADJOURN
MOTION by Tesky second by Snobeck to adjourn at 8:14pm. APIF MOTION CARRIED
Respectfully submitted,
Tony Wippler, Planning Manager