Minneapolis City Council OKs data center moratorium
The Minneapolis City Council approved a six-month moratorium on data centers larger than 350,000 square feet, aiming to provide time for the city to develop new regulations. This interim ordinance passed with an 8-5 vote, though some council members raised concerns about losing potential investment and property taxes. An industry group, the Minneapolis Building and Construction Trades Council, acknowledged the discussion but stated a moratorium was unnecessary.
The Minneapolis City Council has enacted a six-month moratorium on the construction or expansion of data centers exceeding 350,000 square feet within the city. The vote, which occurred at a Thursday meeting, will pause large-scale data center projects until late November.
The measure, originally authored by Council Member Aurin Chowdhury, aims to provide the city with sufficient time to formulate new regulations for data center development. Council Member Jamal Osman introduced amendments, including the six-month timeline (shortened from a previously considered year) and an exemption for smaller data centers (under 350,000 square feet) located downtown. The interim ordinance passed by an 8-5 margin, despite opposition from Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer, who warned that the moratorium could divert investment dollars and property tax revenue away from Minneapolis.
In response to the council's decision, the Minneapolis Building and Construction Trades Council issued a statement, acknowledging the council's