Apple Valley Planning Commission Recommends Denial of Proposed Data Center Project During Wednesday Meeting

The Apple Valley Planning Commission, during its meeting on March 18, 2026, recommended the denial of critical components for the Apple Valley Technology Park, a significant proposed data center development. The commission voted against the Site Plan and Building Permit Authorization, as well as the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) necessary for data center operations. These recommendations will now proceed to the Apple Valley City Council, which is slated to make a final decision on March 26, 2026. This decision marks a further setback for the project, spearheaded by Oppidan Investment Company in collaboration with property owner Rockport, LLC. Earlier in March, the developer withdrew its request to rezone the property from A key shift in the project came earlier this month with the withdrawal of the rezoning request, which had been central to the proposal. The applicant formally withdrew its request to rezone the property from SG (Sand and Gravel) to MUBC (Mixed-Use Business Campus). This effectively removed rezoning from the Planning Commission's consideration. Furthermore, in January 2026, the Apple Valley City Council had unanimously denied a Comprehensive Plan Amendment submitted by Rockport, LLC. City officials cited inconsistencies between the proposed development and the city’s existing Comprehensive Plan and zoning code, which severely constrained the project's viability in its current form. The proposed 1.05 million square-foot data center was intended for the AVR, Inc. sand and gravel mining site at 15255 Johnny Cake Ridge Road. Pete Carbono, representing Oppidan, expressed the company's view that the review process was "atypical," stating that they did not receive sufficient feedback from city staff and officials to refine their proposal. Despite Oppidan's experience in developing data centers, including a project in Eagan, the Apple Valley project's fate now rests with the City Council's upcoming decision.