[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6207788,"mediaKeyId","3752670-e15197961b07694c8964bb5d8b5d1af9","parentId",3752670,"title","Planners briefed on proposed Tract technology park; annexation, PUD and mitigation remain open","audioSeconds",1430,"startMs",1643000,"endMs",3073000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3752670-e15197961b07694c8964bb5d8b5d1af9&start=1643&end=3073","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3752670-e15197961b07694c8964bb5d8b5d1af9/thumbnail_1643000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6207788/Cannon-Falls/Goodhue-County/Minnesota/Planners-briefed-on-proposed-Tract-technology-park-annexation-PUD-and-mitigation-remain-open","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6207788-9f2759a2f5d1988e128a4e131bcbdec5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773704432&Signature=T3zDa66Fv9-o~hETnSICdyA1PRS0bJ2JucKI3j~pN-dMkYTuwyIdYIFSdxzR3P-Ix7lPzuRe4YNuiTP6ge20tfKbXs9J-xe88Pw8Wx2-RLf0tmZFDR1vEk0V8R08JL~AyDsxFQoogCq71EGlfSs4Nec3gwAIoK4PTPtvE4Yhw-5fsKxe4jECD8ahEyVeYF4KKvJ0vX6XkEdlFo3AN9bWyPO~23Fxi-mYHSK9QJLg~kCYXKUeKac2AuBp5z53GmVx~rgMTAryzlnU4I~D253kqONW0kLE0lKnOqPo5q9dIvXb98U7SwSKLWevd-CTLgqY9Otv4F-~jmCuqehQWeSYHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Cannon Falls, MN","date","2025-06-11T02:36:01.277Z","article","CANNON FALLS, Minn. — Representatives for a proposed industrial/technology park development by Tract discussed a multi-step approval path that includes township orderly annexation, rezoning to an industrial district with a planned unit development (PUD) overlay, and development-agreement terms covering infrastructure delivery and costs.

Jake Steen, with law firm Larkin Hoffman, introduced Tract’s application and said studies of utilities and environmental factors are in near‑final draft form. He told the commission the city has capacity for water and wastewater treatment but that the project will shape near‑term infrastructure planning. “We were able to review...the studies have been pretty much completed. We’re in the final draft stages,” Jake Steen said.

Staff emphasized annexation is a gating step: the city cannot act on land-use approvals while the land remains in township jurisdiction. John, the city staff member, said the earliest the orderly annexation resolution could reasonably be approved by both the city and the township would be the July 15 City Council meeting; until the annexation is completed the application cannot be decided.

Tract’s representatives described expected uses — principal uses listed include a data center and electric power transforming stations — and discussed mitigation measures for noise, visual screening, lighting and backup generation. Commissioners asked whether generators would be diesel; the development team said backup generation technology is evolving and may include natural gas or batteries, and that detailed sound and lighting studies would be required with any future permit. The developers proposed architectural treatments and perimeter berming and noted that building heights up to 60–80 feet were being considered with corresponding interior setbacks.

Jake Steen and a consultant said certain large transmission lines already cross the site and that Great River Energy would be involved in any on‑site high‑voltage equipment. The developers said a PUD was desirable because it provides more site‑specific mitigation levers than a conditional use permit (CUP) tied to a particular use.

No votes or formal decisions were taken; commissioners were invited to forward questions to staff ahead of a joint City Council–Planning Commission work session on June 17, when Tract’s full team will answer additional questions. Staff also reminded the public that the AUAR comment period remains open.

Next steps: staff and applicants will continue coordination with the township on an orderly annexation agreement, complete required studies (noise, lighting, AUAR), and present a draft PUD and development agreement for formal public hearings after annexation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission Meeting - 6/9/25","oneSentenceSummary","Representatives for Tract presented a large industrial/technology-park plan that would require annexation, planned unit development zoning and infrastructure agreements; commissioners and staff discussed setbacks, noise, lighting and building heights and were told studies are near final. No formal actions were taken.","taxTitle","Cannon Falls, Goodhue County, Minnesota","taxId",52522,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6207793,"Cannon Falls planners discuss allowing partial gravel driveways for large lots",919,704000,1623000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3752670-e15197961b07694c8964bb5d8b5d1af9&start=704&end=1623","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3752670-e15197961b07694c8964bb5d8b5d1af9/thumbnail_704000.jpg","/articles/6207793/Cannon-Falls/Goodhue-County/Minnesota/Cannon-Falls-planners-discuss-allowing-partial-gravel-driveways-for-large-lots","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6207793-186a89926072a6cdf4fcd050c085ff30/orig.mp4?Expires=1773704432&Signature=LK--I-qF0SLyBscXwotxneOsvnrY273p66p02CfUy~Zgkg5tc2JAA5EQPz9~ZKDU0OsmZpyWypDgoSjy9wU827qo9tnN~MVjfHAyr1O35arEbueohibW59bnBnYbKjf7gzSSnJp1d5Umpbp0D89SMXFVEu-nA7GBQPLDUTU0BXpEMwdrcwEM7dutt8UWwyAiT2MpI3WePOfEdnQymwakJ7zMizSc7HvSlbHf1KTQktT7Mkpyk4~V5tfbhYY61jvpKZmMyhrRwkOcbT1UCgwmjnn5xdh8biqo8sinm-2HaIlYaGcTh2dKbFCQowltCypymnhnUlGn2Su3N21T7u7N8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CANNON FALLS, Minn. — Planning commissioners discussed a proposed change to the city driveway ordinance that would allow partial gravel driveways for large, rural-style lots, but took no formal action because a quorum was not present.

The discussion centered on Timber Ridge estate lots, where developer representatives asked the commission to permit a paved surface only at driveway ends and in the public right of way, with gravel for the long middle portions of the drive. “We were looking for a variance for gravel driveways,” said Mark Soscar, representing Timber Ridge and GMH Land. Commissioners and staff emphasized the need to balance stormwater protection, runoff control and dust mitigation for neighboring properties.

John, a city staff member, told the commission the application to amend the ordinance had been formally filed and that the city must either act or request an extension before a 60-day deadline. “I do believe we will need to extend that just to meet that deadline,” he said. Commissioners and the developer discussed possible thresholds and measurements that could be included in the ordinance, including a minimum lot size and required paved distances at each driveway end.

Developer representatives proposed paving 25 to 30 feet at the garage face and paving from the public right of way to prevent gravel on public streets, leaving the middle length of long driveways unpaved. Mark Soscar estimated some driveway runs “500, 600 feet.” Commissioners suggested potential rules such as a minimum lot acreage (commission discussion referenced 2 acres), minimum driveway length to qualify for the exception, and a paved area at both the road and near the residence. Commissioners raised concerns about dust and proximity to neighbors, noting that long gravel runs could affect other residents.

Staff recommended drafting an ordinance that could apply to “rural large lot” zones or be tied to a minimum acreage; commissioners discussed whether to set a minimum of about 2 acres for eligibility and to specify paved zones extending to the public right of way (which may vary by road) plus a set distance at the residence. The commission also discussed permitting private gravel alleys where property owners retain them as private infrastructure.

No motions or votes were taken because the commission lacked a quorum; staff said they would continue refining draft language and bring it back for formal consideration at a future meeting or the joint City Council–Planning Commission work session on June 17.

The conversation covered operational points commissioners asked staff to clarify at later review, including stormwater controls, dust mitigation, maintenance agreements for shared driveways, and whether an allowance would be temporary until annexation or until city water and sewer are extended.

Next steps: staff will prepare ordinance language options and a recommended threshold for commission review at a future meeting. Because no formal action was taken, the existing city driveway and paving ordinance remains in effect.","Planning commissioners discussed a proposed amendment to the city driveway ordinance to allow partial gravel driveways for larger “estate” lots in Timber Ridge and similar areas; no formal action was taken because the meeting lacked a quorum.","actionData","errors"]

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Planners briefed on proposed Tract technology park; annexation, PUD and mitigation remain open

Cannon Falls planners discuss allowing partial gravel driveways for large lots