The Summit County Council held a special meeting on November 7, 2024, to discuss the ongoing Dakota Pacific development project, which has been under consideration since 2020. The council acknowledged the complexity of the project, which has faced public scrutiny, legal challenges, and numerous iterations throughout its development.

During the meeting, council members emphasized the importance of public input, noting that there have been 18 public meetings this year alone regarding the Dakota Pacific proposal. They expressed a commitment to understanding community concerns and perspectives, particularly regarding the potential positive and negative impacts of the project on Summit County residents.

The council outlined their process, which included forming a subcommittee to evaluate the feasibility of a public-private partnership related to the project. Although the subcommittee was disbanded after determining the partnership was feasible, the council has continued discussions on various elements of the proposal, including housing and transportation.

As the council prepares to make a decision on the Dakota Pacific application, they reiterated their statutory obligation to process land use applications and development agreements. They encouraged public feedback on the current iteration of the proposal, emphasizing the need for community insights to guide their decision-making.

The meeting concluded with a call for comments focused on the merits and deficiencies of the current proposal, as the council seeks to ensure that all voices are heard before moving forward with negotiations. The council's next steps will involve continued legal discussions with Dakota Pacific, ultimately leading to a decision that could approve the project, approve it with modifications, or deny it altogether.