Coalition for Responsible Data Center Development withdraws lawsuit due to litigation costs
The Coalition for Responsible Data Center Development in Farmington, MN, has withdrawn its lawsuit against the city, school district, and Tract Land Development due to high litigation costs. However, Castle Rock Township's companion lawsuit challenging an orderly annexation agreement violation continues, and an injunction has already halted the proposed $5 billion data center project in Farmington. Despite the withdrawal, the Coalition vows to continue its fight against the 2.5 million-square-foot data center concept.
The Coalition for Responsible Data Center Development (CRDCD), a Farmington, Minnesota, grassroots group, has withdrawn its lawsuit against the city of Farmington, the Farmington School District, and Tract Land Development of Colorado, citing unsustainable litigation costs. Cathy Johnson, chair of the CRDCD, stated that while the lawsuit's merits are valid, the financial burden on residents had become too high. The CRDCD was opposing a proposed 2.5 million-square-foot hyperscale data center near residential areas, raising concerns about environmental and water impact, infrastructure costs, property values, and lack of transparency.
The Coalition's withdrawal does not impact a companion lawsuit filed by Castle Rock Township against Farmington, which challenges a breach of the Orderly Annexation Agreement. This separate lawsuit, filed on January 14, 2025, followed a Dakota County judge's November 2024 approval of an injunction that temporarily halted the $5 billion data center project, planned to include up to 12 buildings. Despite the setback in their legal battle, CRDCD members, including Sara Fry, confirmed they would continue their fight to safeguard community quality of life and advocate for regulations on data centers, citing risks to water, electricity, air, land, wildlife, and neighborhood tranquility.