Eagan planners recommend subdivision to create 14.5-acre data center parcel at 550 Opperman Drive

The Eagan Advisory Planning Commission on Dec. 19 recommended approval of a preliminary subdivision that would split a 22.1-acre YMCA parcel at 550 Opperman Drive into two lots, creating a 14.5-acre lot intended for a data center, a 6-0 vote.

Commissioners heard staff say the application (filed as YMCA Fourth Edition) meets the city’s limited industrial (I-1) standards and that development plans submitted with the subdivision demonstrate the site’s suitability for a data center, although final compliance will be evaluated at building permit review. Sarah Thomas, the city planner presenting the application, told the commission the northern lot would be about 7.6 acres and the southern lot about 14.5 acres and that the site lies within the city’s one-mile airport-noise buffer where the proposed use is considered compatible.

The staff report noted the proposed development plan shows backup generators on the west side of the building and three emergency cooling water tanks south of the…