Eagan Advisory Planning Commission Meeting – September 22, 2026

The Advisory Planning Commission met on September 22, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at the Eagan Municipal Center. The commission considered four public hearing items: a planned development amendment for Ecolab, a comprehensive guide plan amendment for Endeavor Development, a conditional use permit and variance for Equipment Share Inc., and a conditional use permit for FCP Services. All four items were recommended for approval unanimously (5-0). The meeting also included adoption of the agenda and minutes from the previous meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Adoption of Agenda: Approved 5-0 on a motion by Member Block, second by Member Wagner.
• Approval of Minutes (from prior meeting): Approved 5-0 (Member Wagner abstained because he was not present at the previous meeting). Motion by Member Donaldson, second by Member Walsh.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ecolab (Item A): No public comments were offered.
• Endeavor Development (Item B):
  • Willie Abbott (resident on Lone Oak Road) expressed concerns about the northern “finger” parcel, asking whether a road or development was planned there, and about tree buffers between the proposed development and existing homes.
  • Tom Benarott (law office owner to the west) stated that traffic on Courthouse Lane and the intersection near Holiday cannot accommodate the proposed development; he cited multiple crashes and said “zero chance” the current road system can handle the added traffic.
  • Rosemary Pikarski (owner of 3350 Highway 55) spoke strongly in favor, stating she and her neighbors have been “held hostage” for 15–20 years by city restrictions that prevented any improvements or sale; she urged the commission to approve the change so they can move on.
• Equipment Share Inc. (Item C): No public comments were offered.
• FCP Services (Item D): No public comments were offered.

Discussion Items

A. Ecolab Planned Development Amendment (655 Lone Oak Road)

• Staff Presentation (by Sarah Thomas): Request to amend the Cray Research planned development to allow a 104,881 sq ft building addition (total ~725,000 sq ft), 228,119 sq ft of renovations, solar panel canopies, geothermal building, and landscape/signage updates. Deviations sought: classification of metal panel system as Class I material (city code deems it Class II), building height increase from 30 ft to 60 ft, and impervious surface coverage increase from 27% to 30% (shoreland overlay limit is 25%, but PD allows up to 60%). Staff found stormwater requirements met; open space would drop from 73% to 70% (minimum 35% required). Proposed 51 additional parking stalls (total 1,263), with 8 EV charging stalls (future). Conditions include a sign plan, landscape plan, and sanitary flow data.
• Applicant Presentation (Bill Todd, Ecolab; Ross Naylor, Alliance architect): Described the project as a transformation into a global R&D and customer collaboration hub. The campus currently houses about 800 of Ecolab’s 3,000 Minnesota employees; only ~5 new jobs expected. Construction planned early 2027 through 2030. The geothermal building (for pumps and equipment) will be recessed and landscaped. Renderings showed contemporary design with metal panels.
• Commission Questions:
  • Member Block asked about the rationale for only 8 EV stalls (existing 5–6, so expansion, but no minimum requirement).
  • Member Wagner asked about park dedication (payable for the addition only) and the 60% impervious limit in PD (historical, but shoreland 25% applies; engineering reviewed and found stormwater management acceptable).
  • Commissioner asked about building height (60 ft max; nearby Thomson Reuters approved at 72 ft).
• Commission Comments: Wagner and Chair Jensen praised the project and Ecolab’s long history in Minnesota; both expressed support.
• Vote: Motion by Member Wagner, second by Member Donaldson to recommend approval with 27 conditions. Passed 5-0. Scheduled for City Council on October 20, 2026.

B. Endeavor Development Comprehensive Guide Plan Amendment (3366, 3350, 3340 Highway 55 and two unaddressed parcels)

• Staff Presentation (by Sarah Thomas): Request to change land use from Office Service (OS) to Business Park (BP) on ~25 unplatted acres. The site has significant topography (80 ft drop from north to south), wetlands, and wooded areas. The applicant’s concept plan shows two 125,000 sq ft business park buildings accessed from Courthouse Lane and Hope Drive. The northeast special area plan originally envisioned office/service, but market conditions have shifted toward business park/light industrial. The existing single-family homes to the north are considered “transitional”; the city’s vision is not for low-density residential. No conditions can be attached to a guide plan amendment; subsequent phases include rezoning to PD and final development plan.
• Applicant Presentation (Evan Matson, Endeavor Development): Showed representative images of similar projects (Eden Prairie, White Bear) and explained that the three parcels must be developed together due to topography. The retaining wall will be pulled south on the next iteration to allow landscaping on the north side. Traffic memo submitted; full traffic impact study will be done at rezoning phase. The development timeline is ~6 months through entitlement.
• Commission Questions:
  • Member Wagner asked about the difference between OS and BP (OS is typically 100% office; BP requires minimum 15% office/warehouse, more flexible).
  • Member Walsh asked about the transitional residential homes—staff confirmed they can remain, but future development is expected to redevelop them.
  • Block asked about performance standards (setbacks, buffering) to be determined at PD phase.
  • Chair Jensen asked about the “finger” parcel to the north—no current development proposed; staff noted a future road extension (Justice Way) may occur with a separate application.
• Public Comments (see above): Two opposed (traffic concerns), one in favor (property owner wanting to sell).
• Commission Deliberation: Wagner asked about the viability of business parks post-COVID; staff noted hybrid office/warehouse uses remain strong. Walsh noted that existing homes will be considered in future screening requirements. Block noted the “hostage” comment was compelling.
• Vote: Motion by Member Walsh, second by Member Wagner to recommend approval. Passed 5-0. Scheduled for City Council on October 6, 2026.

C. Equipment Share Inc. Conditional Use Permit and Variance (837 Apollo Road)

• Staff Presentation (by Mary Doziak): Request for a CUP to allow outdoor storage of trailer-mounted equipment (generators, cooling units, pumps, air compressors) and a variance for a zero-foot side yard pavement setback (existing condition from a 1982 approval). The site has a 10,000 sq ft building on ~2 acres, zoned I-1 Limited Industrial. Proposed improvements: security fence, screening slats, LED lighting, replacement of 8 trees (ash trees lost to emerald ash borer). The variance is needed because reconstructing the pavement to meet setback would be a practical difficulty. No new impervious surfaces proposed. Conditions include easement acknowledgements from Met Council and city.
• Applicant Presentation (Miles Harndon): Stated Equipment Share is thrilled to be in Eagan; answered questions.
• Commission Questions: Member Wagner asked if the CUP legitimizes existing use—staff clarified this is a new user with a different type of storage, not a continuation.
• Vote: Motion by Member Donaldson for CUP (conditions 1-8), second by Walsh; passed 5-0. Separate motion by Donaldson for variance (conditions 1-2), second by Walsh; passed 5-0. Scheduled for City Council on October 6, 2026.

D. FCP Services Conditional Use Permit (3275 Sun Drive)

• Staff Presentation (by Mike Schultz): Request for a CUP to allow outdoor storage of up to 23 trucks and 11 trailers on a 1.4-acre site with a 14,600 sq ft building (20,000 total with mezzanine). The building previously housed a pet resort; FCP Maintenance wants to use it for fleet parking. Proposed improvements: new pavement, retaining wall, chain-link fence with slats, relocation of dumpster, ADA parking, and replacement of 6 elm trees with 6 birch trees. Green space will drop from 46% to 32% (still above 25% minimum). The site meets all six performance standards for outdoor storage. Conditions include Met Council acknowledgment for utility easement encroachment (garbage enclosure).
• Applicant Presentation (Robert Loukusa): Thanked the commission; no formal presentation.
• Commission Questions: None.
• Vote: Motion by Member Wagner, second by Walsh to recommend approval with six conditions. Passed 5-0. Scheduled for City Council on October 6, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Ecolab PD Amendment: Recommended approval (5-0) with 27 conditions. City Council to consider on October 20, 2026.
• Endeavor Development Guide Plan Amendment: Recommended approval (5-0) with no conditions (by state law). City Council to consider on October 6, 2026.
• Equipment Share CUP & Variance: Recommended approval (5-0) on each action, with conditions. City Council on October 6, 2026.
• FCP Services CUP: Recommended approval (5-0) with six conditions. City Council on October 6, 2026.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:15 p.m.