St. Cloud Weighs First-Ever Data Center Zoning Rules At Tuesday Planning Commission Hearing
The City of St. Cloud is drafting its first-ever zoning rules for data centers, which will define data center types and specify where they can be located. The Planning Commission is holding a public hearing on these proposed amendments before they go to the city council for a final decision. The new rules include requirements for environmental impact studies, energy use documentation, and water conservation measures.
The City of St. Cloud is proactively developing its first set of specific zoning regulations for data centers, aiming to establish clear standards before any development proposals emerge. These proposed amendments to the city's Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code will define data centers and differentiate between "enterprise" (up to 2,000 servers, 10,000 sq ft, 50 MW peak electrical use) and "hyper-scale" facilities.
Under the draft rules, enterprise data centers would be permitted by right in commercial and industrial zones. Hyper-scale facilities, however, would be restricted to the I3 planned industrial district and require a conditional use permit, subject to public hearings and strict setback requirements of at least 1,320 feet from residential areas. Additionally, hyper-scale sites must connect to city water and sewer.
All data center applications would necessitate comprehensive studies covering land use compatibility, noise, environmental and community impacts, and projected energy use. Developers would need to confirm with the electric utility that their demand won't compromise renewable energy goals and commit to on-site solar, water conservation, and EPA Tier 4 backup generators, along with a decommissioning plan. Projects exceeding 450,000 square feet would trigger a state Environmental Assessment Worksheet, with findings potentially leading to permit denial. The Planning Commission will make a recommendation to the city council, which will hold its own public hearing.