Interim Moratorium On Data Centers Heads To Rice City Council Vote
The Rice City Council is voting on an interim ordinance to impose a one-year moratorium on new data center construction or expansion. This measure aims to protect the city's planning process and allow the Planning Commission to study data centers as a land use. The study will also review regulations adopted by other communities.
The City of Rice, Minnesota, is set to vote on an interim ordinance that would establish a one-year moratorium on the establishment, construction, or expansion of data centers within its municipal boundaries. The Rice City Council will consider the measure at its Monday night meeting, citing the protection of the planning process and the health, safety, and welfare of residents as key reasons for the proposed pause.
Alongside the moratorium, the city council plans to authorize its Planning Commission to undertake a comprehensive study. This study will examine data centers as a land use, analyze their impact on other communities, and investigate the various regulations adopted by other cities to manage such developments. The interim ordinance could be rescinded prior to its one-year term if the city's zoning ordinance is amended to address data centers, or if the city council passes a resolution to terminate the moratorium.