Carlton County to continue discussion on data center moratorium Tuesday
Carlton County, Minnesota, is considering a yearlong moratorium on data center development. The County Board is scheduled to vote on July 14 on a motion to implement an interim ordinance while the county studies potential new regulations. This initiative follows requests from the local group, Carlton County Land Stewards, citing concerns about environmental and public health impacts.
The Carlton County Board in Minnesota is scheduled to vote on July 14 to advance a proposed yearlong moratorium on data center development within the county. Commissioner Susan Zymslony introduced the motion at the July 7 Committee of the Whole meeting, advocating for an interim ordinance to allow the county to study the potential need for additional data center regulations.
The proposal stems from requests made by the grassroots group, Carlton County Land Stewards, at a June 3 planning commission meeting. Member Sandy Sterling emphasized the need for citizens and the county to fully understand the positive and negative long-term impacts of data center development.
Commissioner Zmyslony stated that the interim ordinance would ensure data centers do not negatively impact other land uses, the environment, public health, safety, and welfare. If the Board approves the motion, a formal public hearing will be scheduled, likely for the next Committee of the Whole meeting on August 4, to begin the process of officially adopting the moratorium.