It all leads to this: Hermantown council to vote on Google data center agreements Monday night
The Hermantown City Council is scheduled to vote on six agreements that would advance Google’s proposed data center, including its special use permit, final plat and development agreement. Opponents are challenging the city’s environmental review and public-notice process, with a court hearing on a contempt motion scheduled for the following day.
Hermantown officials plan to hold a focused meeting to vote on six resolutions tied to Google’s proposed data center. The measures include the project’s special use permit, final plat, development agreement and a decommissioning agreement, as well as a resolution rejecting a citizen petition seeking an environmental assessment worksheet.
The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and Stop Hermantown Data Center have filed a contempt motion alleging that the city violated a court-ordered public-notice agreement. Opponents also question whether applicant Harmony Group LLC controls all of the land covered by the permit and say council members and residents have had too little time to review the agreements. Approval would move the project closer to construction, which Google expects to begin next year, although additional permits would still be required.