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Cannon Falls EDA and planning staff outline 2025 progress: housing, annexation, permits and grants
Summary
EDA coordinator Laura and planning staff Izzy reported that Hardwood Estates 3rd Subdivision broke ground, the city completed an annexation tied to a Technology Park, building permits and lot sales rose, and grant awards totaled about $18,007.50 of $24,500 requested; staff outlined zoning ordinance changes including cannabis zoning and rules for data centers.
Laura, who said she coordinates the city’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) work plan, reviewed the EDA’s 2025 priorities and outcomes. The EDA met goals to break ground on Hardwood Estates 3rd Subdivision, supported area businesses through outreach and consultations, expanded the city limits by annexation (transcript lists annexation acreage as 02/1938 acres), and advanced accessibility and park demonstration projects. Laura said the EDA requested $24,500 in grants and was awarded $18,007.50, and that the revolving loan fund outstanding balance declined from $143,464 to $110,151 during the year.
Planning staff Izzy summarized land‑use activity in 2025: the year included one variance tied to a large Tract development, five conditional‑use permits (including two related to data centers in I‑2 zoning), an interim use permit for a home‑occupation motorcycle repair business, two administrative subdivisions, three preliminary plats (Hardwood Estates 3rd Subdivision, O’Gorman addition, and another Tract plat), and one annexation tied to the Technology Park. Izzy also reviewed three zoning ordinance amendments recorded in 2025: ordinance 408 (cannabis zoning definitions and buffers), ordinance 409 (parking stall and driveway standards for larger lots), and ordinance 410 (definition and rules for data centers).
Izzy reported building‑permit totals working with Goodhue County: 131 permits for the year, 16 single‑family homes, 19 commercial/industrial permits and 97 other permits (renovations, decks, etc.). Laura added that Hardwood Estates had completed lot sales (20 lots sold between 2024 and 2025) and that lots tied to the industrial park are being marketed for potential buyers; sale proceeds after closing were reported as $1,330,350.
