Plymouth approves moratorium on data centers
The Plymouth City Council unanimously approved a 12-month interim ordinance, enacting a moratorium on new data centers larger than 50,000 square feet within city limits. This measure aims to allow staff to study the impacts of data centers, including electricity and water usage, and address current gaps in the city's zoning policy. The decision was prompted by resident concerns and recent interest from a significant data center developer.
The Plymouth City Council unanimously approved a 12-month interim ordinance at its September 8 meeting, instituting a moratorium on new data centers exceeding 50,000 square feet within city limits. This decision was made to address current gaps in the city's zoning policy regarding data center proposals and provide city staff with time to conduct further studies on the facilities.
The council's action, which reduced the square footage threshold from an initially proposed 75,000 square feet to 50,000 square feet, will not impact the single existing data center in Plymouth. Concerns voiced by council members, including Julie Pointner, Joel Spoonheim, and Mayor Jeff Wosje, highlighted potential environmental impacts, increased water usage, noise pollution, and strain on the electrical grid, particularly in areas prone to blackouts.
According to Grant Fernelius, the city's community and economic development director, a "significant" data center developer had recently expressed interest in Plymouth, which accelerated the council's decision to bring the moratorium forward. Council Member Scott Aldrich noted that resident concerns about larger data centers, similar to those seen in Hermantown, Minnesota, were a key factor. This move by Plymouth follows similar discussions and controversies surrounding data center proposals and regulations in other Minnesota cities like Monticello and Farmington.