Planning Commission November 9, 2026

The Hastings Planning Commission held a public hearing on November 9, 2026, to consider Dakota County CDA’s Southgate Townhomes proposal: a site plan and preliminary and final plats for 40 townhomes. Staff recommended approval, noting the project’s consistency with the site’s planned mid-density residential use. The CDA described its affordable workforce housing program and said it would own and manage the development, with U.S. Bank participating as a private limited partner. The proposal includes private roads, 118 parking spaces, recreation amenities, landscaping, a privacy fence, and stormwater facilities. A decision on parkland dedication versus a cash-in-lieu payment remained for the Park and Recreation Commission to consider separately; city review of the grading, drainage, and erosion-control plan was also required.

Residents raised concerns about traffic and pedestrian safety near Highway 316, parking, neighborhood access and privacy, lighting, building height, trees, and stormwater. Staff and project representatives responded that the buildings would be two stories, the parking and lighting plans met city requirements, and stormwater would be managed on site subject to engineering review. The Commission unanimously recommended approval of the preliminary plat, final plat, and site plan, subject to the staff-report conditions; the matter was scheduled for City Council review on December 7, 2026. No contract award or procurement vote was identified. Staff also noted that a separate project of approximately 370–380 homes was expected to come before the Commission on November 23.