Eagan council approves conditional use permit for outdoor storage at Dodd Road

The Eagan City Council on March 3 approved a conditional use permit (CUP) allowing off-site outdoor storage for a landscape contractor at 3486 and 3500 Dodd Road, approving site screening, container storage and conditions for surfacing and setbacks.

City Planner Schultz told the council the proposal covers two adjacent parcels zoned I-1 limited industrial and includes an approximately 4,300-square-foot storage area on the rear parcel that would be enclosed with a chain-link fence fitted with heavy-gauge privacy slats. The enclosed area would accommodate two dump trucks with trailers, two passenger trucks, three bulk storage bins for soil, mulch and plants, a waste-bin area and two cargo containers for equipment storage. “The site plan that’s before you shows an approximately 4,300 square foot outdoor storage area that would be enclosed with the new fence, screened with heavy duty, high gauge slats,” Schultz said.

Planner Schultz said the CUP would replace a prior interim use permit (IUP) and noted that earlier approvals had allowed storage and a temporary outdoor fitness area; the fitness use will continue for the remainder of the IUP term. He also described two conditions brought forward from the advisory planning commission: (a) permitting recycled bituminous aggregate surfacing for the storage area as an option, and (b) addressing a five-foot setback requirement along the north property line by moving the fence and establishing a barrier to ensure the setback is achieved.

Applicant Tim Johnson spoke in support and said Livit/Livet plans to make interior renovations and to screen the storage area from Dodd Road. “Thanks for hearing our proposal this evening. We’re excited about the opportunity to move into Eagan and make the improvements to the 3486 building,” Johnson said, adding that staff had worked with the applicant on fencing and screening details.

Council members asked whether the shipping containers previously used by the CrossFit tenant would continue to house CrossFit equipment; staff said the CrossFit operation would transition its containers to the landscape contractor. Several council members expressed concern about future parcel severability — the two parcels are currently owned by the same entity — and staff confirmed a condition that the CUP would be null and void if the parcels were severed and sold separately.

Councilmember Hansen moved to approve the CUP, subject to the conditions listed in the APC minutes; the motion passed by voice vote. The approval includes requirements for screening, surfacing options and setback compliance; staff will finalize the detailed landscape and screening specifications as part of permit review.