Apple Valley council adopts mixed‑use business campus zoning district

Apple Valley City Council voted to adopt an ordinance establishing a new mixed‑use business campus zoning district and waived a second reading, council members said during the meeting.

Council members and staff framed the ordinance as preparation for large, market‑scale projects. A staff member described a recent surge of interest from large developers and said the ordinance is intended to let the city respond quickly: "we hope form follows function here," the staff member said.

The ordinance was approved on a motion from Councilmember Bergman, seconded by Councilmember Hebert; the measure passed by voice vote with ayes recorded and no opposition called on the record. The council also recommended waiving a second reading.

City staff told the council that attorneys, staff and property owners had negotiated the ordinance and that market conditions have changed since the district was first envisioned, shifting demand away from uses such as corporate campuses toward larger data center projects. Staff said the new zoning district will allow prospective applicants to request the district designation and begin the permitting and review process under the city’s adopted standards.

The council discussion did not include specific development applications, project approvals, financial incentives, or changes to other zoning districts. No ordinance number, effective date, or accompanying fiscal impacts were provided in the discussion. Staff indicated the measure was intended to create a regulatory framework so that prospective applicants can submit proposals under the new district.

The council convened other business after the vote, including staff updates and calendar items.