Cannon Falls planning commission backs PUD, variances and preliminary plat tied to proposed TRAC data center

The Cannon Falls Planning Commission on Oct. 13 recommended the City Council approve a planned unit development (PUD), three variances and a preliminary plat connected with a proposed TRAC data center and introduced a development agreement laying out water, wastewater and infrastructure commitments.

The recommendations would let the TRAC project proceed to the council with conditions that include phased approvals, limits on water use and developer-funded infrastructure. City staff told commissioners the full, phased development would be allocated up to 43,000,000 gallons of water per year, and the developer has agreed to pay toward a new water storage tower and plant improvements.

Why it matters: The project would change land use on the north end of Cannon Falls and add industrial-scale water and sewer demand. Planning commissioners and public speakers pressed for more public review, and staff emphasized provisions intended to protect city water and sewer capacity while requiring the developer to pay for most new infrastructure.

Public comment and concerns

Two registered speakers addressed the commission. Ann Beschick Buzenmeyer, of Cannon Falls, asked the commission to delay action and give residents more time to review financial benefits presented at a recent work session, saying, “Let the citizens decide the trajectory of Cannon Falls.” Nora Felton, a local farmer, said her primary concern was water and whether treated wastewater could be reused to recharge the aquifer: “My concern is the water, wastewater treatment plant that, where it's gonna the water is gonna get treated and whether that water can come back to recharge our aquifer,” she said.

Planning commission discussion and motions

Staff reiterated that the PUD establishes development specifics such as setbacks, landscaping, building height and architectural standards and…