Data Center (Farmington Technology Park)

Update - Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025:

Technology Park Legal Process Continues

On Thursday, Nov. 13, Dakota County Court District Judge Tracy Perzel denied the City’s motion to dismiss the matter and legal proceedings between the City and plaintiffs will continue to the next phase of the legal process. Earlier this year, plaintiffs asked the court to stop steps in the development process within the Technology Park area. Judge Perzel’s ruling will now continue the process forward where matters can be more fully argued and articulated by the parties. While the City is disappointed Judge Perzel didn’t dismiss the matter, the City intends to continue to follow the process moving forward and believes the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning regulations permit development within the Technology Park. At this time, the City has not received an application for a specific development proposal within the Technology Park area. Until such an application is submitted, there is nothing pending in front of the City Council related to the previous approvals for the site.

Farmington Technology Park Project

Welcome to the central hub for city information regarding the Farmington Technology Park Project (Developer – Tract). Located on this page is a timeline tracking key actions, steps, submittals, and decisions surrounding the project. Whether you’re a resident, policymaker, journalist, or simply interested in the project, this page aims to provide transparent, up-to-date, and fact-based information. Please note – the city information and links on this page are provided for convenience only. The page is not intended to be an exhaustive compilation of all city information or official records related to the project.   

Information includes:

Timeline – A chronological breakdown of major milestones associated with: 

  • City of Farmington's Comprehensive Plan Update (City-Wide)
  • Annexation
  • Environmental Review (Alternative Urban Areawide Review - AUAR)
  • Technology Park (Data Center) Planning & Zoning Actions and Approvals

Official Documents – Applications, Staff Reports, Resolutions, and Presentations 

Background Information – Links to presentations provided by subject-matter experts.

Date 

City of Farmington's Comprehensive Plan Update (City-Wide)

Annexation

Environmental Review (Alternative Urban Areawide Review - AUAR) 

Technology Park (Data Center) Planning & Zoning Actions and Approvals

June-September 2022Initial RFP sent out to solicit proposals for 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update. Proposals received but put on pause due to staffing changes.


Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023City Council Work Session is held to re-initiate Comprehensive Plan Update, including adding a community vision component. Revised RFP is sent out.


Monday Mar. 6, 2023Contract with consultant for Comprehensive Plan Update is approved by City Council


Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023An update is given to the Planning Commission on the community vision component of the Comprehensive Plan Update


Monday, Sept. 18, 2023An update is given at a Special City Council Work Session on the community vision component of the Comprehensive Plan Update


Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024An update is given to the Planning Commission on the Comprehensive Plan Update including the community vision and proposed future land use


Monday, Mar. 4, 2024An update is given at a Joint City Council and Planning Commission Work Session on the Comprehensive Plan Update


Tuesday, Mar. 5, 2024
Annexation petition received for ISD 192 property

Wednesday, Mar. 6, 2024
Annexation notice delivered to Castle Rock Township

Monday, Mar. 18, 2024

EDA transfers funds to pay for two AUAR reviews (EDA Resolution 2024-01). AUAR mentioned in EDA Directors Report.City Council approves contract with consultant for the review and distribution of the two AUARs
Monday, Mar. 25, 2024

Verbal update is given on the Farmington Technology Park AUAR at the Water Board
Monday, Apr. 15, 2024
City Council approves annexation of ISD 192 land (Resolution 2024-30)

Wednesday, Apr. 17, 2024
Annexation resolution is sent to the state Municipal Boundary Adjustment Unit (MBAU) for final approval

Wednesday, Apr. 24, 2024
State issues approval order officially annexing the property into the city

Tuesday, May 14, 2024


Planning Commission holds public hearing on application from Tract to rezone golf course and ISD 192 properties to Mixed Use Commercial/Industrial (MUCI). Planning Commission CONTINUES the public hearing to June.
Monday, May 20, 2024

Farmington Technology Park AUAR mentioned in EDA Financial Report and 2025 Budget Discussion
Tuesday, May 28, 2024Verbal update provided to Water Board on Comprehensive Plan Update


Monday, Jun. 3, 2024

Consultant presents an overview on AUARs at a City Council Work SessionRepresentative from MN AFCOM presents an overview on data centers at City Council Work Session
Tuesday, Jun. 4, 2024

Draft Farmington Technology Park AUAR and Scoping Document sent to the EQBTract introduces themselves and their team at a Joint City Council and Planning Commission Work Session
Wednesday, Jun. 5, 2024

Notice of Draft Order for Farmington Technology Park AUAR and Scoping Document published on city website. Public comment period from 6-11-2024 to 7-11-2024
Tuesday, Jun. 11, 2024


Planning Commission TABLES the rezoning application at the request from Tract

Monday, Jun. 17, 2024An update is given on the Comprehensive Plan Update, specifically related to future land use, at a Special Joint City Council and Planning Commission Work Session


Monday, Jun. 24, 2024Verbal update is given to the Water Board on the 6-17-24 Work Session regarding the Comprehensive Plan Update
Verbal update is given on the Farmington Technology Park AUAR to the Water Board
Monday, Jul. 15, 2024

Farmington Technology Park AUAR mentioned in EDA Directors Report and 2025 Budget Discussion
Monday, Aug. 5, 2024

City Council approves Final Order and Record of Decision for the Farmington Technology Park AUAR (Resolution 2024-71)
Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024

Farmington Technology Park AUAR sent to the EQB
Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024

AUARs mentioned at Joint City Council and School Board Work SessionFarmington Technology Park Data Center project is used as an example for potential positive impacts on the community at Joint City Council and School Board Work Session
Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024

Farmington Technology Park AUAR published in the EQB Monitor. Public comment period from 8-27-2024 to 9-26-2024
Tuesday, Sep. 10, 2024


Planning Commission holds public hearing for Tract applications for a Preliminary Plat and PUD and Rezoning. Planning Commission RECOMMENDS approval.
Monday, Sep. 16, 2024

Farmington Technology Park AUAR mentioned in EDA Financial Report, Mid-Year Report Card, and Directors ReportTract's preliminary planning approvals mentioned in EDA Directors Report
Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024

Final Farmington Technology Park AUAR posted on city website
Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024

Final Farmington Technology Park AUAR is submitted to the EQB. EQB submission published. Public comment period from 10-8-2024 to 10-22-2024Planning Commission holds public hearing to amend the 2040 Comprehensive Plan land use designation to Mixed Use Commercial/Industrial for the Farmington Technology Park parcels. Planning Commission RECOMMENDS APPROVAL.
A timeline on the city-wide Comp Plan Update is given.
Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024Open House was held at City Hall for public comments on the Comprehensive Plan Update


Monday, Nov. 4, 2024

City Council adopts Final Farmington Technology Park AUAR (Resolution 2024-97)City Council APPROVES Tract's Preliminary Plat and PUD (Resolution 2024-99) and Rezoning (Ordinance 2024-11) applications, AND 2040 Comprehensive Plan amendment for Farmington Technology Park parcels to Mixed Use Commercial/Industrial designation (Resolution 2024-98)
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024

Final Farmington Technology Park AUAR adoption resolution (Resolution 2024-97) is posted on the city website
Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024

Final Farmington Technology Park AUAR posted in the EQB MonitorTract application for Final Plat and PUD is RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL by the Planning Commission. PUD is recommended as an ordinance.
Monday, Nov. 18, 2024

Farmington Technology Park AUAR mentioned in EDA Financial Report and Directors ReportTract planning approvals mentioned in EDA Directors Report
City Council approves Tract's Final Plat (Resolution 2024-109) and PUD, with the PUD adopted as an ordinance (Ordinance 2024-12)
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024


Comp Plan amendment for the Farmington Technology Park parcels is submitted to the Met Council
Monday, Nov. 25, 2024


Verbal update is given to the Water Board that the Comprehensive Plan amendment for the Farmington Technology Park parcels is being processed separately from the city-wide Comprehensive Plan Update
Monday, Dec. 2, 2024


Development Contract with Tract APPROVED by City Council
Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025

Farmington Technology Park AUAR mentioned in EDA Financial Report
Monday, Jan. 27, 2025Verbal update provided to Water Board on Comprehensive Plan Update


Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025

AUARs mentioned in EDA 2024 Year in Review
Monday, Feb. 24, 2025Verbal update provided to Water Board on Comprehensive Plan Update


Monday, Mar. 24, 2025Verbal update provided to Water Board on Comprehensive Plan Update


Monday, Apr. 7, 2025


Time Extension for the recording of the Final Plat for the Farmington Technology Park is approved by City Council.
City Council also approved the establishment of conservation easements across certain areas of the Farmington Technology Park parcels.
Wednesday, May 14, 2025


Metropolitan Council approves the Farmington Technology Park Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Monday, Jul. 7, 2025


Clarifying statements from City Attorney and City Council regarding the Farmington Technology Park Project
Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025


Dakota County Court District Judge denies the City of Farmington's motion to dismiss the plaintiff's complaint.