Oakdale approves three major development projects unanimously
The Oakdale City Council unanimously approved three significant development proposals on July 10, including a retail expansion at Oakdale Marketplace, a residential garage addition, and a major light industrial project near Interstate 94.
All three items passed without dissent, though one drew public opposition. The council first approved an amendment to the Oakdale Marketplace Planned Unit Development plan, which allows retail use on a vacant site west of McDonald's. The amendment was required after a Court of Appeals decision reversed the city's prior ruling on the matter. Staff recommended approval, and the council passed both the ordinance and resolution needed to implement the change.
The council also approved a conditional use permit for a 400-square-foot second garage at 7582 20th Street North, intended for recreational vehicle storage. The property is zoned for low-density housing, which typically limits accessory buildings to 200 square feet. The applicant needed special permission for the larger structure. Staff confirmed the proposal met all city code requirements for setbacks, height, and use restrictions. No public comments were made on this item.
The most substantial approval involved the 94 Exchange project at 7049 4th Street North, a 36-acre development near the intersection of Interstates 94 and 694. Developer Capital Partners proposed two light industrial buildings, along with traffic improvements, landscaping, and tree mitigation. The project required changes to the city's comprehensive plan and approval of preliminary plat and site plan documents.
One resident, Brian Richie, spoke against the project, citing concerns about overdevelopment, environmental impact, and noise from the highway. He questioned the necessity of additional industrial space, noting vacant buildings already exist in the area. Despite his objections, the council voted unanimously to approve all three requests for the 94 Exchange project. The council did amend one condition regarding exterior building materials for the internal truck lanes, after the developer proposed using painted precast as an alternative to fiber cement panels. Capital Partners emphasized their long-term commitment to the property, noting they build and hold developments rather than sell them immediately.
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Votes (3)
Continuation of a Public Hearing: Oakdale Marketplace Planned Unit Development Plan Amendment
Dissent: None
Moved by Pearson [0:07:34] · Seconded by Java [0:07:35]
Staff provided background on the PUD amendment, noting its origin in a Court of Appeals decision that mandated retail use be permitted on a specific vacant site. The public hearing had been deferred from June 4th. Commission discussed procedural aspects of taking the motions due to the prior tabling. Staff recommended approving both the ordinance and resolution. No public comments were received.
Public Hearing: Marty 7582 20th Street North Conditional Use Permit of an Oversized Accessory Building
Dissent: None
Moved by Campbell [0:13:58] · Seconded by Pearson [0:14:00]
The Community Development Intern presented the request for a 400 sq ft second garage for RV storage. The property is zoned R2, allowing accessory buildings over 200 sq ft only via CUP. The proposed structure met all city code requirements for setbacks, height, and use restrictions. Staff recommended approval with standard conditions. No questions were raised by commissioners, and no public comments were received.
Public Hearing: 94 Exchange 7049 4th Street North Comprehensive Plan Amendment and a Preliminary Plat and Site Plan
Dissent: None
Moved by Campbell [1:00:36] · Seconded by Pearson [1:01:21]
Staff presented the detailed request for a comp plan amendment, preliminary plat, and site plan for two light industrial buildings. Key aspects included reguiding a portion of the site, consolidating outlots, traffic and pedestrian improvements, significant tree mitigation, and exterior building material standards. The developer, Capital Partners, discussed their long-term commitment and the flex nature of the buildings. Public comment included opposition from a resident regarding perceived overdevelopment, traffic, noise, and environmental impact. The commission and developer discussed flexibility on exterior building materials for the internal truck lanes.
Notable Quotes (6)
As a result of the Court of Appeals decision, the PUD plan must be amended so that any retail use allowed in the B1 district and former C2 district would be permitted on the site again, the vacant site immediately west of McDonald's.
The applicant is seeking to add a new oversized accessory building, specifically a second garage. The property is zoned R2 low density housing and per the city code single family homes in the R2 district are per permitted to have an accessory building up to 200 square feet by right and larger structures are only permitted via the CUP process.
In the state of Minnesota, comp plan guidance supersedes zoning regulations whenever there's a conflict. So, as such, this request is to reguide just a portion of the site which is shown in pink on the screen from office limited business to industrial office.
I think what we're building is exactly what should be put on the site. I think it's its highest and best use. Um we've had tremendous success developing in the Twin Cities... we build and hold. So, uh the good news is we'll be the landlord and again good stewards of this property and and and the community as well.
The industrial building that we're talking about, you know, you guys mentioned there's a bunch of them along 94 in Woodbury that I think are still vacant. We've got vacant buildings right across Fourth Street in those industrial parks. I don't know why another one is necessary right now, but you know, it's just going to take away from the landscape. It's going to destroy habitat for the wildlife in the area. It's going to make the noise from the highway that worse and frankly, I think a lot of my neighbors would agree that it's not something that we want...
I think the two ways we could we could look at it is is painted precast a class one material because fiber cement panel is a class one material. So, can we say if fiber cement panel is class one, then painted precast is class one. That would be our hope... The other option is to say, well, let's look at the three-sided architecture and meet the 70% class one material on the three sides of architecture and then say maybe painted precast is not a class one material.
Ordinances & Resolutions (14)
City Council ordinance adopted on November 26, 2024, amending the Oakdale Marketplace PUD.
City Council resolution approved in 2024, amending the 2000 Oakdale Marketplace PUD plan.
Original Planned Unit Development plan for Oakdale Marketplace.
Agreement pertaining to Oakdale Marketplace PUD with a provision regarding land use changes.
The current proposed amendment to the PUD plan.
Application for an oversized accessory building at 7582 20th Street North.
Zoning district for the property at 7582 20th Street North.
Request to reguide a portion of the 94 Exchange site from office limited business to industrial office.
Request for replatting four existing parcels into one proposed lot and three outlots for the 94 Exchange project.
Request for the development plan of two light industrial buildings at 94 Exchange.
Zoning district of the 94 Exchange site.
Earlier 2026 zoning ordinance amendment allowing light manufacturing in the B2 district.
Environmental review completed in 2024 for a previous development on the 94 Exchange property.
Provided by the developer for the 94 Exchange project.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Conditional Use Permit for an Oversized Accessory Building (Marty)
94 Exchange Comprehensive Plan Amendment, Preliminary Plat, and Site Plan
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