Planning Commission Agenda - 07/01/2025 (Workshop)AGENDA
WORKSHOP MEETING - PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, July 1, 2025 – 5:00 p.m.
Academy Room, Monticello Community Center
Commissioners: Chair Andrew Tapper, Vice-Chair Melissa Robeck, Rick Kothenbeutel,
Teri Lehner, Rob Stark
Council Liaison: Councilmember Kip Christianson
Staff: Angela Schumann, Steve Grittman, Bob Ferguson, Tyler Bevier,
Anne Mueller
1. Call to Order
2. Discussion - Discussion on ordinance framework to define & regulate Data Center uses
3. Adjournment
Data Centers: Zoning Ordinance Format
Planning Commission Workshop| July 1, 2025
2040 Vision + Plan
Earlier in 2025, the City adopted amendments to the 2040 Vision + Plan
as related to data center land uses
•Amendments establish definitions and policies for consideration of
Data Center development
•Limit data center land uses to Light Industrial Park (LIP) designated
land use areas
•Clarify technology use allowances in other industrial land use
designations
•Ordinance development to follow
Context
Zoning Ordinance
•Current zoning ordinance does not provide for data center uses as
allowable principal uses
•General discussion in the 2040 Plan amendment report suggested the
possible establishment of an overlay district for data centers in the I-1
(Light Industrial) District
•Development would require I-1 zoning and then rezoning to apply the Data
Center overlay district
•Subsequent review processes for platting and site development,
such as Conditional Use Permit
CONTEXT
Data Center
Planned Unit Development
Working with the City Attorney, and considering the unique land use
issues and the variability between potential Data Center users, staff has
modified its recommendation for zoning process
•Establish a Data Center PUD District
•Require rezoning to PUD (must be designated LIP per 2040 Plan)
•Require platting and subdivision, as applicable
•Require PUD Development and Final stage review for
each data center project
FRAMEWORK
Data Center Planned Unit
Development
•Data Center PUD review process would be unique to this specific
PUD District; not subject to the current PUD ordinance process
•Rather than only providing flexibility from the ordinance, provides adapted
process and plan submittals specific to this type of use and its impacts
•Require related background data necessary to grant entitlement or
development rights at “Development Stage PUD” and “Preliminary Plat”
approvals
•Recognize that Data Center users have proprietary internal site
design components
FRAMEWORK
What is the Review Process?
•Development Stage
•Evaluate the policy, utility, and land use compatibility requirements of
Comprehensive Plan
•Hold Public Hearing on PUD and Preliminary Plat
•Planning Commission (recommendation) and City Council (decision) reviews
•Final Stage
•Resolve conditions from Development Stage approval
•Final plat approval and rezoning ordinance approval
•City Council review for decision
CONSIDERATIONS
How to Regulate Use & Site
Development
•Submittals
•Focus plan requirements and review on the external impacts and controls
•Provide internal site design flexibility
•Allow multiple principal buildings and uses on a single parcel
•Performance Standards
•Specifically identify external control standards: e.g. setbacks, building height,
site coverage, buffering, noise
•Allow internal site variability with compliance to above: e.g. access
road width, building design, building location
CONSIDERATIONS
How to Manage Land Use &
System Impacts
•PUD accommodates internal site design flexibility but ensures that
projects meet the goals of the 2040 Vision + Plan
•Flexibility from subdivision standards as may be required
•Platting and PUD
•Utility provisions to site and to other planned growth areas
•Easement/right of way dedications
•Agreement at Development Stage
•Required site improvements and future site changes, if needed
•Fiscal/financial expectations
CONSIDERATIONS
Discussion Points
•Concurrence with PUD District Approach
•Discussion on Requirements of Development Review Process
•Understand:
•How and When Development Rights Determined
•Final Project Approval Process
•Future Project Modification
SUMMARY