Public Hearing Set for Tonight For Proposed Apple Valley Technology Park, Data Center Project

The Apple Valley Planning Commission is scheduled to hold key public hearings on March 18, 2026, to reconsider a significant data center development proposed as part of the Apple Valley Technology Park project. This large-scale development, spearheaded by Oppidan Investment Company in partnership with property owner Rockport, LLC, aims to transform approximately 134 acres of land currently designated for sand and gravel mining into a Mixed Use Business Campus. The proposal calls for 1.05 million square feet of total building space, with about 795,000 square feet dedicated to data center structures. The project has been under review for over a year, facing prior setbacks. In February 2025, the Planning Commission tabled the proposal due to site concerns and pending land-use considerations. A related Comprehensive Guide Plan Amendment requested by Rockport, LLC, was later recommended for denial by the Planning Commission in April 2025 and formally denied by the Apple Valley City Council in January 2026. Despite this denial, the underlying technology park and data center applications remain active, with review deadlines extended until March 31, 2026, due to legal frameworks that prevent automatic denial if no action is taken within 120 days. Tonight's meeting will address a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for data center facilities and a broader package including rezoning, preliminary plat approval, and site plan/building authorization. The Planning Commission is expected to make a final recommendation, which will then advance to the Apple Valley City Council for final action at its March 26, 2026, meeting. City officials emphasize their role is to review applications for compliance with local ordinances and state law. The project has garnered significant public interest regarding land use, infrastructure, and the long-term impacts of data center operations, with residents encouraged to participate in the public hearing.