Planned Unit Developments

The Comprehensive Plan describes the City’s development goals and the Zoning Ordinance describes the land use regulations that developments must follow. There are times when the Zoning Ordinance regulations do not accomplish the Comprehensive Plan goals. Sometimes it could be because the development proposes a mix of uses that are segregated into separate zoning district. Sometimes it could be because the lot dimensions or land characteristics (such as topography or existing natural resources) would result in development creating more impacts than benefits. A Planned Unit Development would allow the City to deviate from the zoning standards for a specific development without changing the Zoning Ordinance text for all property located in that same zoning district. Within a Planned Unit Development, the City can request higher standards for some elements of the development (such as higher quality building materials) in exchange for the reduced standards allowed (such as reduced lot sizes). These new standards are approved through a Planned Unit Development Agreement between the developer and the City. The Planned Unit Development Agreement is recorded on the property and is transferred to any future land owner.

A Planned Unit Development requires a public hearing with the Planning Commission before City Council review. Neighboring property owners will be notified of the public hearing and a public hearing notice will be published in the Dakota County Tribune.

If standards within the Planned Unit Development Agreement need to be added, removed, or modified, then an amendment can be applied for. Significant changes to the Agreement would require a Major Planned Unit Development Amendment, while a small change to the Agreement may allow it to be a Minor Planned Unit Development Agreement. A Major Planned Unit Development Agreement requires a public hearing with the Planning Commission before City Council review. Neighboring property owners will be notified of the public hearing and a public hearing notice will be published in the Dakota County Tribune. A Minor Planned Unit Development Amendment requires City Council approval, but does not require Planning Commission review nor a public hearing. The City Code addresses Planned Unit Developments within Section 11-10-6.


Checklists

Site Plan Review and PUD Final Site and Building Plan Application Checklist