City Council Minutes 11-10-2025 Joint WorkshopMINUTES
WORKSHOP — JOINT CITY COUNCIL & PLANNING COMMISSION
November 10, 2025 — 5 p.m.
Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
City Councilmembers: Mayor Lloyd Hilgart, Kip Christianson, Lee Martie
Councilmembers Absent: Charlotte Gabler and Tracy Hinz
Commissioners: Chair Andrew Tapper, Melissa Robeck, Teri Lehner
Commissioners Absent: Rob Stark, Rick Kothenbeutel
Staff Present: Rachel Leonard, Angela Schumann, Steve Grittman, Matt Leonard,
Bob Ferguson, Jim Thares, Sarah Rathlisberger, Jennifer Schreiber
1. General Business
A. Call to Order
Mayor Hilgart and Chair Tapper called the joint workshop of the Monticello
Planning Commission and City Council to order at 5 p.m.
B. Review and discussion on draft amendment to City Code, Title XV, Land Usage,
Chapter 153: Zoning Ordinance to define and regulate data center and
technology campus land uses within the City
Angela Schumann, Community Development Director, gave an overview of the
framework for the proposed Zoning Ordinance related to data centers. Ms.
Schumann expressed the need for a Data Center Plan Unit Development
(DCPUD) to accommodate complex and large-scale projects. As part of the
ordinance overview, she stated the key components of the revised ordinance of
minimum performance standards, application submittal requirements, review
process, site improvement plan agreement and enforcement.
Ms. Schumann reviewed the amendments for the minimum performance
standards:
• Development Density
o Added language related to phasing and specifying what is
excluded for the calculation: Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for any
individual phase of the DCPUD shall be .25.
Council Member Christianson commented that this number should
include all taxable structures, not just the principal data center
building. Ms. Schumann noted that this could be defined further.
• Noise
o Revised to include: requirement for an ambient noise study;
monitoring by a third party at 1000' spacing and DCPUD corners;
limited generator testing; and security requirement in Site
Improvement Plan Agreement.
Board members had no issue with revisions but suggested consent of
the city on the third -party service.
• Setbacks and Building Heights
o Revised to include: a table of required setbacks (setbacks are
greater for residential uses and lower for commercial or industrial
uses); and height restrictions set at 50 feet, with an additional 15
feet allowed for accessory and appurtenance structures.
Board members had discussions on smaller lots and the potential
impact that floor area ratio and setbacks may have.
• Buffering and Screening Requirements
o Revised to include: a concept landscaping plan; clarification of
landscaping requirements; clarification of screening
requirements; and clarification of buffer requirements.
There was significant discussion on buffer and screening
requirements, however, no adjustments were made.
• Utility and Infrastructure Requirements
o Revised to include: sufficient information regarding financial
capacity to support required improvements; the site
improvement plan agreement that details the timing and
securities related to infrastructure improvements was discussed;
and an addition was made for provisions for telecommunication
systems to ensure local service is not impacted during normal
operations.
Board members had no issue with revisions.
• Transportation Impact
o Revised to include: volume of commercial traffic; location of right-
of-way; proposed improvements and projected cost; and
sufficient information regarding capacity to support
improvements.
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Board members had no issue with revisions.
• Power Consumption
o Revised to include a summary of the proposed routing plan and
required electrical infrastructure improvements and a statement
of telecommunication provider information detailing sufficient
system improvements.
Board members had no issue with revisions.
Angela Schumann then gave an overview of the development review process
revisions. This included a 60-day timeline between development stage approval
and final stage submission, with potential extensions. In addition, the revisions
required building permits to be submitted within one year of plat reporting, with
the possibility of extensions.
There was minimal discussion by board members and no changes were
recommended.
2. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Recorder: Jennifer Schreibe�r k0jr
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Attest:
City Administrator