This transcript features the **Rosemount Planning Commission** meeting from April 22, 2025. Based on the context provided, the primary speakers are **Michael Reed** (Acting Chair), **Anthony Nemcek** (Senior Planner), **Julia Hogan** (Planner), and **Logan Martin** (City Administrator), along with various commissioners, applicants, and residents. *** [0:32] **Michael Reed:** I called the order of the Rosemount Planning Commission meeting for Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. [1:00] **Michael Reed:** All right, let's get started. I do see there is at least one change to the agenda for today. [1:08] **Anthony Nemcek:** We're going to swear in some new commissioners. That is correct, Chair Reed. Item 1A is added to swear in our new and returning commissioners. [1:17] **Michael Reed:** Thank you. There are no other additions to the agenda. Thank you. Logan, are you going to... [1:24] **Logan Martin:** Yeah, If the three want to come on down, we can get it done. [1:33] **Michael Reed:** It's gonna be on the boards. You're that re-here. You got it through your turn. [1:52] **Logan Martin:** Okay. Please repeat that to me. I [state name], do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of the office of Planning Commissioner for the City of Rosemount, in the County of Dakota, and the State of Minnesota, to the best of my judgment and ability, so help me God. [2:35] **Michael Reed:** I want to thank and express my gratitude that Commissioner Rivera and Commissioner Ellis are back for another turn, and extend a welcome to Commissioner Arnob. Glad to have you here. Thank you. [2:50] **Michael Reed:** Okay, so now on the agenda is the time we have any audience input. This is really a time where the audience members can come forward to talk about any items not on the agenda. If so, please come forward with your questions, stating your full name and address. [3:11] **Michael Reed:** All right, seeing no audience input will proceed to the next item of the agenda, which is the consent agenda. We have just one item on the consent agenda today, which is approval of the minutes of the March 17, 2025, regular meeting. Are there any questions about the minutes? [3:34] **Michael Reed:** Okay. Seeing none, I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda. [3:40] **Matt Buggi:** Second. [3:41] **Michael Reed:** Seconded by Commissioner Buggi. All in favor, say aye. (Aye). Pass. All right, next up is any old business? Do we have any old business? [3:50] **Anthony Nemcek:** There's no old business, Chair Reed. [3:52] **Michael Reed:** Very good, thank you, Anthony. Next up on the agenda is public hearing. The public hearing item first is a request by David Kensinger and Apro Development for approval on a site plan review to construct the combination coffee shop and wine bar. [4:15] **Anthony Nemcek:** Thank you, Commissioner Reed. This is a site plan review request by David Kensinger and Apro Development to construct a combination coffee shop wine bar at 14557 South Robert Trail. The subject property is located in the northeast corner of the lot that currently is the site of the Morrison in the downtown area... [Presentation continues] ...Staff is recommending approval, finding that the site plan meets the requirements of the code and the standards of the MX1 downtown mixed-use zoning district. [16:10] **Michael Reed:** Thank you, Anthony. Could you bring up the aerial view that you made with the... Yeah, perfect, thank you. Just a couple of clarifying questions. So at the northwest corner there, the pedestrian walkway is really intended for Morrison residents who are walking over, typically, like to the coffee house? [16:27] **Anthony Nemcek:** Correct. There are two pedestrian accesses to the sidewalk along Highway 3, crossing the drive-through lane here, and those are shown as striped on the site plan as well. [16:40] **Michael Reed:** Excellent, thank you. And then in the northeast corner there the drive-through traffic is going to go left, right? [16:45] **Anthony Nemcek:** Correct. There’ll be a sign there that says yield to incoming traffic or something of that effect. [17:03] **Jeff Ellis:** My question would be about that Northeast access point there. My concern is that you're going to get people coming out of there and trying to turn right, which would then, I mean, at 7:30 in the morning, cause a problem with all the kids that are speeding to get to school. Is there any way to curb that? [18:01] **Anthony Nemcek:** I would let the applicant or the developer speak to that, but I totally understand what you're saying. [18:22] **Matt Buggi:** On my end, the only other thing I was curious about was on the south parking of the Morrison, on the east side. Like, if they try to exit north and go left, they could get blocked in if a car's coming into the drive-through. [18:48] **Anthony Nemcek:** There is certainly some potential for slow ups if the parking lot is full. I would assume residents are going to know when the busy times are and they can go south and loop around the parking lot. [19:57] **Michael Reed:** Any other questions from the commissioners? Okay. Seeing none, this is a public hearing, so at this time I will open the public hearing. First, I'll note that we do have some written comments. If you would like to speak, please come up, state your name and address. [21:13] **Mike Waldow:** I guess I was volunteered to start. Mike Waldow with Ron Clark Construction. We're part of the original development team and part owners of the Morrison today, along with the Bader group. [Discusses history of the site and compatibility with the apartments]. [28:11] **David Kensinger:** Hello. I'm David Kensinger, the applicant. My address is 3585 Cla Down's Path in Rosemount. We moved to Rosemount about eight or nine years ago. We really got into this venture to create an elevated space in downtown Rosemount where people want to come and sit, have a coffee, have a glass of wine. [32:31] **Michael Reed:** Did you happen to hear Commissioner Ellis's question about preventing cars turning right? [32:35] **David Kensinger:** Yeah, I think it is a valid concern. Working with Apro here, we can definitely come up with a way, like a curved median, that forces somebody to turn the right way. [33:52] **Nadia Ritter:** Hello, I'm Nadia Ritter of Apro Development at 21476 Granada Avenue in Lakeville. We are working with a great team of civil engineers who can definitely work to force people to turn left and make right turns seem not an option. [35:04] **Susan Jey:** I submitted written comments by email, and I just want to make sure you have them. Susan Jey, 14589 South Robert Trail. [35:42] **Daniel Nas:** My name is Daniel Nas. I live at 1365 Carriage Avenue. I think this concept is very interesting. I encourage the planning commission to give strong consideration of this project. [37:06] **Michael Reed:** I'll make a motion to close the public hearing. [37:11] **Jeff Ellis:** Second. [37:12] **Michael Reed:** Motion by Commissioner Reed, seconded by Commissioner Ellis. All in favor, say aye. (Aye). Public hearing is now closed. [38:52] **Mike Waldow:** [Answering question about snow removal] From a snow removal standpoint, when it gets to be significant, they end up hauling it away as part of the contract. [40:04] **Michael Reed:** Anthony, should we put a condition on about the plan being updated per Commissioner Ellis's idea? [40:11] **Anthony Nemcek:** Staff would recommend just having that as a direction to the applicant. If the commission feels more comfortable, adding a condition that the applicant work with their civil engineers to identify an opportunity to provide curbing is certainly an option. [41:44] **Jeff Ellis:** I think it's a good addition to the downtown Rosemount. It was always designed for that business use there in the corner. It's a good fit. [42:32] **Michael Reed:** I agree. I’ll make a motion to approve the proposed site plan... subject to the following conditions, numbered one through four with the addition of condition 5, stating that the applicant will work with their engineers and city planners to define a safe exit design. Do I have a second? [43:24] **Matt Buggi:** Second. [43:25] **Michael Reed:** Motion by Commissioner Reed, second by Commissioner Buggi. All those in favor say, aye. (Aye). Motion passes. [43:32] **Julia Hogan:** This is a request for a PUD final site and building plan to construct a 10,000 square foot restaurant with outdoor dining spaces, and a minor amendment to the Presswick Place PUD agreement. The site is located immediately west of Lifetime Fitness... [Presentation continues]. [53:02] **Michael Reed:** Thank you, Julia. Just one question. On the landscape plan, would the easement on the west side prevent all plantings, or just trees? [53:18] **Julia Hogan:** No plantings, structures, or landscaping are allowed within that 30-foot easement area. [53:33] **Jeff Ellis:** On the lighting question... I assume we're going to have lights on the second floor. How does the city code work with that? [53:48] **Julia Hogan:** The 30-foot limit is specifically for pole-mounted lighting, not building-mounted lights. [54:05] **Brenda Rivera:** There was a pretty large deviation on the EFIS. Can you go over the rationale for that? [54:22] **Julia Hogan:** Due to structural issues and a large overhang, EFIS is much lighter than brick. If it were brick, they’d need additional columns on the main floor. [55:03] **Matt Buggi:** With the parking, you mentioned they can spill over into the Lifetime parking lot? [55:19] **Julia Hogan:** Staff saw that cross-parking being more with the future development to the north, though Lifetime did call today to discuss future potential. [57:15] **Corey Bannerman:** Good evening. Corey Bannerman, 5511 Southwood Drive, Bloomington. [Discussing the Copper Pint project]. [58:49] **Alan Ketable:** Alan Ketable with Kimley Horn Engineering. There are crosswalks from the Lifetime parking lot that go south to the sidewalk and then cross on the west side of the roundabout into this site. [1:02:44] **Brenda Rivera:** I think it's a good addition to the community. It's nice to have options for the city so we can spend our dollars here. [1:03:13] **Aaron Beadner:** I'll make a motion to approve the PUD final site and building plan... subject to conditions one through 10. [1:03:36] **Jeff Ellis:** Second. [1:03:37] **Michael Reed:** Motion by Commissioner Beadner, seconded by Commissioner Ellis. All those in favor say aye. (Aye). Motion passes. [1:04:08] **Anthony Nemcek:** This is a request to consider a Comprehensive Land Use Plan Amendment for approximately 420 acres in the area near the eastern boundary of the city (Dakota East) from agriculture and residential to Business Park. [Presentation detailing the area between Emery and Fisher Avenues]. [1:17:10] **Michael Reed:** One thing I wanted to call out is the northwest there—that's Waste Management, right? I think the Business Park is a good transition between industrial and residential. For the community commercial (the red), what kind of businesses are typical there? [1:18:27] **Anthony Nemcek:** Those would be grocery stores, fast-food chains, and restaurants. However, given the location, it's unlikely there would be enough residential base there to support that many acres of commercial. [1:22:17] **Brenda Rivera:** I just have a quick comment. Whatever community commercial land will be left, it's still bigger than the one we have around Akron. That footprint should be good enough. [1:22:39] **Matt Buggi:** Anthony, is this the only public hearing tonight for this? [1:22:55] **Anthony Nemcek:** For the Comp Plan Amendment, yes. But if this moves forward, there would be subsequent hearings for platting, rezoning, and site plans. [1:25:27] **Jacob Stein:** Good evening. My name is Jacob Stein with Larkin Hoffman, representing the applicant (Tract). This project is supportive of the city's goals for a diverse and high-quality tax base. It will serve as a catalyst for growth and bring an estimated 420 full-time jobs and over 2,000 skilled trades jobs during construction. [1:31:13] **Kimberly Dimick:** Hi, my name is Kimberly Dimick. I live at 15001 Fisher Avenue. Our mayor says we should honor our past and preserve our active farms. Now we’re going to take the eastern edge and put a data center in there and eat up all that farmland. We don't even know who the end user is. [Expresses concerns over water appropriation, cooling towers, and noise]. [1:41:51] **Janice Speltts:** Hi, I'm Janice Speltts, 14997 Fisher Avenue. The south side of this site is a private drive that we maintain. When we enter Rosemount from Hastings, we’re going to see a refinery, a landfill, and now a massive data center. Please think about that vision. [1:43:26] **John Bremmer:** My name is John Bremmer, chairman of the Nininger Township Planning Commission. We share Fisher Avenue with you. We have concerns about the road upgrades and the impact of the trucks from the mineral extraction site. We want to be kept in the loop. [1:45:40] **Brandon Borden:** Brandon Borden, 14991 Fisher Avenue. I spent a lot of money on my barn because horses aren't compatible with a data center. I’m not against development, but I’d love to see housing that improves property values instead. [1:47:33] **Stephanie Kaman:** Hi, my name is Stephanie Kaman, 14995 Fisher Avenue. We are a tight-knit community here. I need you all to consider: if this was coming next to your homes, would you want to lose that beautiful open space for family? [1:48:52] **Melissa Johnson:** Melissa Johnson, 14700 Furlong. I own a business; I support growth, but this is overreach. Data centers introduce 24/7 noise and heat islands. Don't trade away Rosemount's future for a server farm. [1:53:48] **Peter Johnson:** Peter Johnson, 147 Furlong Circle. I'm concerned about the traffic. Headed west on 55 in the morning is already a 15-minute task. Adding this will be a safety hazard for our kids at the bus stops. [1:56:38] **Kyle Kamman:** My name is Kyle Kamman, 14995 Fisher Avenue. Rosemount's strength is its community and culture. Leaning into this kind of business hurts who we are. [1:58:28] **Russell Belt:** Russell Belt, 14997 Fisher Avenue. The elevation of this land funnels snowmelt into our driveway. A data center will only make the runoff worse. No one can tell us what this will do to our property values. [2:01:51] **Susan Jey:** Susan Jey, 14589 South Robert Trail. I’d like to see more transparency. Was this anticipated to begin construction in 2025? [2:04:17] **Michael Reed:** I'll make a motion to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Buggi. Public hearing is closed. Let's go through the questions. Jacob, regarding the 2025 timing? [2:05:07] **Jacob Stein:** We would anticipate horizontal infrastructure in 2027 and vertical construction starting in 2028. [2:06:55] **Adam Kienberger:** [Answering regarding Project Mercury/Data Centers] AUARs are common planning tools. It doesn't mean that everything in the AUAR is approved for development; it just scopes out mitigation factors for potential users. [2:11:52] **Anthony Nemcek:** Regarding water—municipal water would be brought in, drawn from city wells, and not just sucking the current irrigation well dry. Specific usage would be reviewed during the site plan stage. [2:13:13] **Anthony Nemcek:** Regarding aesthetics, the Business Park district requires screening, berms, and landscaping. For a project this large, we would negotiate view sheds and sight lines during the PUD process. [2:22:05] **Brenda Rivera:** As a planning commissioner, I am not comfortable voting to change this to the new proposed 420 acres. I am comfortable with what it’s being used for now as a designation. [2:23:08] **Michael Reed:** I have a lot of concerns about the details, but I am confident the city will lead a thorough review. In terms of land use, I am in favor of this change as a transition zone between the landfill and the residential areas. [2:26:45] **Matt Buggi:** I'll make a motion to recommend the City Council adopt the proposed Comprehensive Guide Plan Amendment... subject to acceptance by the City Council and the Dakota East AUAR. [2:27:17] **Jeff Ellis:** Second. [2:27:23] **Michael Reed:** All those in favor say, aye. (Aye: Reed, Buggi, Ellis, Beadner, Arnob). Opposed? [2:27:32] **Brenda Rivera:** Nay. [2:27:34] **Michael Reed:** Motion passes 5-1. Anthony, what is the next step? [2:27:41] **Anthony Nemcek:** This will go to the City Council, likely on June 3rd. [2:28:46] **Adam Kienberger:** One last thing, the Port Authority will be meeting on May 20th to talk about the Highway 42 corridor. We’d invite the Planning Commission to that joint meeting. [2:30:20] **Michael Reed:** Thank you, everyone. Meeting adjourned.