Data Centers
Private data center developers have shown interest in Monticello. The City is reviewing proposals and evaluating land use, infrastructure, and other impacts for these potential projects.
This page is intended as a resource for information related to proposed projects, development process, public engagement opportunities, and other related information.
The City of Monticello strives to provide transparent, up-to-date information on this page for the community.
The City’s Role
The City provides a wide range of important essential services, but one of its most significant responsibilities is managing land use through community planning and zoning. While the City’s authority in this area is not unlimited, Minnesota law grants municipalities specific powers to guide local development and regulate land use.
The City can exercise its legislative authority to establish local laws and policies, such as a comprehensive plan or city ordinance. Public participation plays a vital role in these local processes. See the “Public Engagement” section on this page for ways to participate.
Upcoming Meeting Update
A City Council workshop has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 1 at 5:00 p.m. in the Mississippi Room of the Monticello Community Center.
During the workshop, officials will discuss the proposed data center (DCPUD) ordinance. Workshops are working sessions for officials to engage in focused discussion. Workshops do not include a formal opportunity for public comment. However, the public is welcome to attend and observe.
State law defines a comprehensive plan as a compilation of policies, goals, standards, and maps that guide the physical, social, and economic development (both public and private) of a municipality and its environment (Minn. Stat. § 462.351). The comprehensive plan serves as the foundation for all land use regulations in a city. Monticello’s Comprehensive Plan is the Monticello 2040 Vision + Plan.
Earlier in 2025, the City reviewed the Monticello 2040 Vision + Plan related to data center land uses. The Monticello 2040 Vision + Plan was amended to allow data centers only in Light Industrial Park (LIP) areas and requires review of site impacts, utility and electric service demands, fiscal requirements, and assurance that any specific development project will not limit the City’s future growth.
See Chapter 3 – Land Use, Growth, and Orderly Annexation, pages 41–42 (Light Industrial) (PDF), from the Monticello 2040 Vision + Plan.
- Planning Commission Meeting February 4, 2025
- City Council Meeting February 24, 2025
The City is working to create a clear framework for evaluating data center and technology campus projects through updates to its zoning ordinance. A zoning ordinance is a tool to implement the policies within a comprehensive plan.
The proposed ordinance amendment outlines specific standards for topics such as land use compatibility, utility capacity impacts, building height and setbacks, noise and lighting, landscaping and screening, fencing, and application requirements. An ordinance will help the City carefully review and manage potential impacts of any individual project that may come forward.
The ordinance amendment does not approve any specific data center project. Instead, it provides the criteria and process for evaluating future proposals. If adopted, all data center projects will be subject to the City’s formal land use review process, including submission of a detailed application and review for compliance with City ordinances and regulations.
In addition to the City’s process, there are additional reviews at the state level that these projects may be subject to for additional approvals or permits.
Below is a timeline of the ordinance’s progress.
August 19, 2025 Planning Commission Special Meeting
Consideration of an amendment to the Monticello City Code to define and regulate data center and technology campus land uses within the City, including a public hearing.
September 2, 2025 Planning Commission Regular Meeting
Continued from 08/19/2025. Consideration of an amendment to the Monticello City Code to define and regulate data center and technology campus land uses within the City, including a public hearing.
September 24, 2025 Special Joint Workshop of the Planning Commission and City Council; Public Q&A Session
Discussion of data center land use and ordinance update; public question and answer on data center ordinance with city staff followed the workshop.
October 7, 2025 Special Joint Workshop of the Planning Commission and City Council
Continued discussion of data center land use and ordinance update.
November 3, 2025 Special Joint Workshop of the Planning Commission and City Council
Continued discussion of data center land use and ordinance update.
November 10, 2025 Special Joint Workshop of the Planning Commission and City Council
Review of the outline of the revised draft data ordinance.
November 20, 2025 Data Center Ordinance Q&A
City staff hosted an informal question & answer session on the proposed data center ordinance from 3:30-6 p.m. at the Monticello Community Center.
December 2, 2025 Data Center Ordinance Public Hearing
The Planning Commission considered the revised ordinance to define and regulate data center and technology campus land uses within the city. A public hearing was held. The Planning Commission closed the public hearing and voted to postpone action. An additional meeting with the City Council will be scheduled to consider and address the public feedback gathered at the hearing and in writing. The item is expected to return to the Planning Commission in January.
- Agenda – The latest ordinance draft is Agenda Item 2A (PDF)
- Minutes (PDF)
- Watch the Meeting
January 6, 2026 Planning Commission Regular Meeting
The data center (DCPUD) ordinance will return as an agenda item at the Planning Commission's regular meeting on January 6 at 6 p.m. The Planning Commission postponed action on this amendment to the regular meeting of February 3, 2026, to accommodate an additional joint workshop with the City Council.
- Agenda - Item 3A
- Watch the Meeting
- Minutes (PDF)
January 15, 2026 Special Joint Workshop of the Planning Commission and City Council
Continued discussion of data center land use and ordinance update.
February 3, 2026 Planning Commission Regular Meeting
The Planning Commission considered the data center (DCPUD) ordinance. Following officials’ discussion, the Planning Commission made a minor modification to the draft and unanimously recommended the approval of the ordinance to the City Council.
Land Use Application Terminology
The definitions below explain common application terms so you can quickly understand where a project is in the City’s review and decision-making process.
- "Proposed" = An applicant has shared an early concept or idea with City staff and/or City boards, including City Council.
- "Under Consideration" = A complete development application has been submitted and is in the formal review process, including staff review, Planning Commission, and City Council.
- "Final Decision" (Approved or Denied) = City Council has made a final decision. Any approval may include conditions the applicant must meet, in addition to City ordinances.
Proposed Data Centers
The following are proposed private data center projects in Monticello. Use the drop-down feature to learn more about each project.
- Developer/Applicant: Monticello Tech, LLC
- Description: Technology campus (data center) totaling approximately 3 million square feet.
- Location: Approximately 550-acre area south of 85th Street and east of Highway 25 within the Monticello Orderly Annexation Area.
Land Use Process & Timeline
Concept Submission
The developer requested a Concept Plan review, which is not a formal zoning or land use application but is intended to provide an opportunity for City feedback on a potential development proposal prior to more formal zoning review and the extensive supporting materials that such reviews require.
The Planning Commission and City Council held a Joint Workshop on December 3, 2024, to review the concept.
Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Monticello Tech, LLC submitted an application to amend the Monticello 2040 Vision + Plan (Comprehensive Plan) to reguide an area of approximately 253 acres to Light Industrial Park. The area abuts another 300 acres (approximately) to the north, that was already guided as Light Industrial Park.
The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed amendment and held a public hearing on the item during its regular meeting on February 4, 2025.
The City Council approved the amendment on February 24, 2025.
Annexation Petition
On April 14, 2025, the City Council acknowledged receipt of five petitions for annexation related to the proposed data center development by Monticello Tech LLC. All five petitions were signed by the current property owners and represent 15 total parcels within the Monticello Orderly Annexation Area. No action was taken on the annexation petitions.
On October 13, 2025, the City Council acknowledged receipt of an additional annexation petition by a property owner for one parcel within the Monticello Orderly Annexation Area. The property is related to the proposed data center development by Monticello Tech LLC. No action was taken on the annexation petition.
Acknowledgement allows City staff to review and process the annexation request in accordance with the Joint Resolution for Orderly Annexation with Monticello Township. This includes a review of required land use requests and any required environmental reviews. A resolution for the annexation of the parcels will be brought back to the Council for future consideration.
Environmental Review
An environmental review is required under Minnesota Rules 4410, as the project meets the thresholds for an environmental assessment.
An Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) is a study document that provides an evaluation of the environmental impacts of future development, and the opportunity to manage and mitigate those impacts. The information and comments from an AUAR process assist communities as they contemplate local planning and zoning decisions. An AUAR study must be completed before any future land use applications are processed.
The Final AUAR and Mitigation Plan for Monticello Industrial was adopted by the City Council on January 26, 2026. The link to the City Council agenda item is below. The Final AUAR for Monticello Industrial includes a response to all public comments received during the draft AUAR comment period (November 18 - December 18).
For the current status and AUAR document, visit Environmental Reviews.
April 28, 2025, City Council Meeting
City Council authorized the preparation of a Draft AUAR Order and Scoping Document by Kimley Horn. City Council also authorized WSB for the review and regulatory coordination of the AUAR Scoping document and AUAR processes.
October 13, 2025, City Council Meeting
The City Council accepted the AUAR Scoping Document and ordered the full AUAR study for the proposed 550-acre technology campus (data center) by Monticello Tech LLC.
November 10, 2025 City Council Meeting
The City Council authorized the submission of the Draft AUAR for Monticello Industrial Development to the Environmental Quality Board.
November 20, 2025 Monticello Industrial AUAR Open House
The City of Monticello hosted an open house on the Monticello Industrial AUAR on November 20, from 6-8 p.m., at the Monticello Community Center. A short presentation was provided at 6 p.m. View and/or download the presentation (PDF) at the link below.
December 15, 2025 Joint City Council & Planning Commission Special Meeting
A special meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission has been called for discussion and comments on the Monticello Industrial Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR). The public is welcome to attend and observe.
January 26, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting
The Final AUAR and Mitigation Plan for Monticello Industrial was adopted by the City Council. See Item 4A of the agenda.
Development Stage Review/Rezoning/Preliminary Plat
No formal land use application has been received by the City of Monticello.
- Planning Commission Date: To be determined
- City Council Date: To be determined
Final Stage Permit/Rezoning/Final Plat
No formal land use application has been received by the City of Monticello.
- Planning Commission Date: To be determined
- City Council Date: To be determined
- Developer/Applicant: Scannell Properties, LLC
- Description: Technology park (data center) totaling approximately 1.3 million square feet.
- Location: Approximately 106-acre area located between the Otter Creek Crossing Industrial Park to the north, 90th Street NW to the south, and abutting the Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park to the west, within the Monticello Orderly Annexation Area.
Land Use Process & Timeline
Concept Submission
The developer requested a Concept Plan review, which is not a formal zoning or land use application but is intended to provide an opportunity for City feedback on a potential development proposal prior to more formal zoning review and the extensive supporting materials that such reviews require.
The Planning Commission and City Council held a Joint Workshop on March 4, 2025, to review the concept.
Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Scannell Properties, LLC, submitted an application to amend the Monticello 2040 Vision + Plan (Comprehensive Plan) to reguide an area of approximately 76 acres to Light Industrial Park. The remaining 30 acres (approximately) of the 106-acre development site are already guided as Light Industrial Park.
The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed amendment and held a public hearing on the item during its regular meeting on May 6, 2025.
The City Council approved the amendment on May 27 2025.
- City Council Meeting Agenda
- City Council Meeting Minutes (not yet available)
- Watch the Meeting
January 12, 2026 Update: Following further discussions regarding reserving high-amenity areas for single-family housing potential, officials have continued to consider land use objectives for the Bertram Chain of Lakes area, including the noted site. The City Council voted on January 12 to re-analyze the site's land use guidance and direct the Planning Commission to hold a public hearing.
Annexation
No annexation petition has been received by the City of Monticello.
- To be determined
Environmental Review
The need for an environmental review is determined after an annexation petition is received.
- To be determined
Development Stage Review/Rezoning/Preliminary Plat
No formal land use application has been received by the City of Monticello.
- Planning Commission Date: To be determined
- City Council Date: To be determined
Final Stage Permit/Rezoning/Final Plat
No formal land use application has been received by the City of Monticello.
- Planning Commission Date: To be determined
- City Council Date: To be determined
Public Engagement
The City of Monticello's land use review process offers opportunities for public feedback. The public is encouraged to stay informed, engaged, and participate through the following avenues.
Environmental Reviews
Projects may require an environmental review. Environmental reviews are shared to the City website and City resources. Public comment periods may be available. See General Notices.
Public Hearings and Meetings
Land use applications are reviewed by the Planning Commission and the City Council during public meetings. The public is welcome to attend the meetings. Agendas are provided online on the City website prior to the meetings. The meetings are also broadcast live on TV and available to stream online.
The public is encouraged to participate in Public Hearings. See the City of Monticello Guide to Public Hearings (PDF) for more information on how to participate. The guide includes instructions to submit comments in writing if you are unable to attend or if you would like your comments included in the public record of the meeting.
Official notices for all public meetings, including workshops and hearings, are published in the Monticello Times (the City’s official newspaper for public notifications) and displayed in the Monticello Community Center hallway. The City website is a secondary and unofficial resource for your convenience.