Council approves activity‑center additions at two high schools and a pool/amenity center at Redwood Park

The Apple Valley City Council on Jan. 23 approved site plan and easement actions to permit activity‑center additions at Apple Valley High School and Eastview High School and a new activity center with a pool and related amenities at Redwood Park.

City planning staff said the approvals clear the way for construction in 2025 with the schools’ additions sized at 86,621 square feet (Apple Valley High School) and 84,700 square feet (Eastview High School) and a 5,572‑square‑foot activity center and pool at Redwood Park. Each item required either the vacation or relocation of on‑site utility or drainage easements and a site plan/building permit authorization.

The council’s action authorizes an Apple Valley High School project at 14450 Hayes Road that includes demolition of several tennis courts, relocation of a 54‑inch storm water main, a skyway connection to the existing building and measures intended to accommodate future solar panels. "The city has a 54 inch storm water main in this easement currently. It will be relocated," Alex, planning staff, said during his presentation. Staff said the district notified property owners within 350 feet and held an open house that drew no attendees.

For Apple Valley High School staff highlighted site constraints tied to grades (up to about 55 feet of change across the site), tree removals and a replacement landscaping plan. The staff report lists proposed plantings of 52 conifers, 117 large deciduous trees, 12 small trees, 45 shrubs and 13 perennials. The staff presentation also noted EV chargers and structural bracing in the new building to support future solar panels.

Eastview High School’s addition will be roughly 84,700 square feet and is sited in the northwest corner of the school property. Planning staff said private utilities within the area to be vacated will be removed and replaced and that the city received no utility‑company objections to the requested private‑utility easement vacation. The staff presentation said the addition increases overall building coverage to about 9% of the parcel, would be about 36 feet tall at its highest point and would include gym space, a training room, multipurpose rooms and a walking track. "The planning commission voted unanimously to recommend approval," Sydney, planning staff, told the council.

At Redwood Park the council approved a site plan and building permit authorization for a new activity center that includes an inclusive pool, an amenity/gathering room, an inclusive playground and expanded parking. Staff said the project is constrained by an existing 54‑inch stormwater easement and by potential future Dakota County right‑of‑way changes along County Road 42; the council earlier approved a waiver of plat to allow the project to move forward while the county corridor study continues. The parks presentation described an effort to reduce turf water use through native prairie plantings and to screen headlights for nearby homes with berms and landscaping.

Votes at a glance - Adopt resolution vacating the drainage/utility easement described in Exhibit A (Apple Valley High School): motion from Council Member Bergman; second Council Member Hebert; outcome: adopted. - Adopt resolution approving site plan/building permit authorization for a new 86,621 sq. ft. activity center at Apple Valley High School: motion from Council Member Melander; second Council Member Hebert; outcome: adopted. - Adopt resolution vacating the drainage/utility easement (Eastview High School): motion from Council Member Hebert; second Council Member Melander; outcome: adopted. - Adopt resolution approving site plan/building permit authorization for an 84,700 sq. ft. activity center at Eastview High School: motion from Council Member Bergman; second Council Member Hebert; outcome: adopted. - Adopt resolution approving site plan/building permit authorization for the Redwood Park activity center and pool (5,572 sq. ft. building and related amenities): motion from Council Member Hebert; second Council Member Bergman; outcome: adopted.

Why it matters: The approvals allow multi‑year capital projects for two high schools and a major parks facility that will add indoor recreation capacity and public access at times when school programming is not in session. Several items approved tonight include easement relocations or vacations, changes to site grading and tree removals that staff said will be mitigated with substantial replanting and landscape measures.

What’s next: Staff said the school districts will proceed with engineering and utility relocation work and that the parks department intends to bid the Redwood Park project for 2025 construction with the goal of opening pool amenities in summer 2026, subject to bidding results and final plat/right‑of‑way coordination with Dakota County. Planning staff said final landscape and civil plans must be updated before building permit issuance.