Eagan Advisory Planning Commission Meeting - April 22, 2025

The Eagan Advisory Planning Commission met on April 22, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Eagan Municipal Center. The commission approved the agenda and minutes from the previous meeting (both passed 5–0 with one abstention), held elections for officer positions, and conducted public hearings on two development proposals. No members of the public spoke during the visitors to be heard segment or during the public hearings. The meeting concluded with a tribute to departing Vice Chair Carol Wisnet.

Organizational Business

• Election of Officers: The commission elected Christos Jensen as Chair, Steven Schwanke as Vice Chair, and Andrew Wegener as Secretary. All nominations were approved by voice vote.

Public Hearings – New Business

A. Eagan Hope and Wellness – Comprehensive Guide Plan Amendment

• Application: A request to re-guide 0.6 acres at 1581 Century Pointe from Quasi Public (QP) to Retail Commercial (RC) to allow development of a 16-bed residential treatment facility licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The property was previously guided for commercial use, then changed to public facilities for a proposed church (2006), but the church was never built. The site is vacant.
• Position of Staff: Planning staff recommended approval, noting the proposed land use is consistent with adjacent commercial properties and supports city goals of reinvestment and providing needed mental health services.
• Position of Applicant: Applicant Dan O’Mara (architect) and Aisha Nur (Eagan Hope and Wellness) presented the concept plan, describing a two-story building with 16 units, common areas, therapy rooms, and offices. They emphasized that the facility would help residents develop recovery skills and independent living skills.
• Commission Discussion: Commissioners discussed the fit of the building on the small lot and confirmed that the current action solely concerns the land use amendment, not the specific development plans. The commission voted to recommend approval.
• Vote: 6–0 in favor of recommending approval of the comprehensive guide plan amendment.
• Next Step: The item is scheduled for the May 6, 2025 City Council meeting (tentative).

B. Project Vanderbilt – Planned Development Amendment and Preliminary Subdivision

• Application: Peter Fitzgerald (Ryan Companies) requested a Planned Development Amendment to modify the site plan to retain and renovate an existing 155,000-square-foot data center building at 610 Opperman Drive (part of the former Thomson Reuters campus), and a Preliminary Subdivision to create one lot and one outlot on approximately 40.57 acres. The broader redevelopment plan, approved in November 2024, originally envisioned demolishing all buildings; the amendment retains one data center and reduces the number of new buildings from three to two.
• Position of Staff: Planning staff recommended approval, noting the reuse of the building is a positive outcome, infrastructure is adequate, and conditions of the 2024 plan development will continue to apply with modifications. One deviation from subdivision ordinance (no public street frontage) is accommodated through the planned development zoning.
• Position of Applicant: Fitzgerald stated that the new user (Project Vanderbilt) will operate a carrier-neutral interconnection data center using the same or less power, water, and sewer as the previous user. Building renovations include exterior upgrades to match the existing architecture, a new parking lot, and a high-security fence. A unique feature is a heavy-duty steel grate covering a below-ground access for generator installation.
• Commission Discussion: Commissioners praised the reuse of the building and clarified that the remaining two future building sites will total a similar square footage to the original plan. The applicant confirmed that the facility enhances connectivity and is not tied to one carrier.
• Vote: 6–0 in favor of recommending approval of the Planned Development Amendment, and 6–0 in favor of recommending approval of the Preliminary Subdivision.
• Next Step: The item is tentatively scheduled for the May 6, 2025 City Council meeting (may be moved from the originally noted May 20 date).

Other Business

• Tribute to Former Vice Chair Carol Wisnet: Chair Jensen read a statement from former Vice Chair Carol Wisnet, who served for seven years. She expressed gratitude to the commission and staff, noted the positive impact of their work on Eagan’s development, and wished everyone the best. The commission acknowledged her contributions.

Key Outcomes

• Approvals (all by 6–0 votes):
  • Recommended approval of the Eagan Hope and Wellness Comprehensive Guide Plan Amendment (Quasi Public to Retail Commercial on 0.6 acres at 1581 Century Pointe).
  • Recommended approval of the Project Vanderbilt Planned Development Amendment and Preliminary Subdivision (retaining the existing data center and creating one lot and one outlot on 40.57 acres at 610 Opperman Drive).
• Elections: Christos Jensen (Chair), Steven Schwanke (Vice Chair), and Andrew Wegener (Secretary) elected to officer positions.
• Next Council Dates: Eagan Hope and Wellness set for May 6, 2025; Project Vanderbilt expected to be moved to May 6, 2025 as well (subject to change).