Hermantown delays vote on proposed Google data center after sit-in
The Hermantown City Council postponed a vote on a special-use permit for Google's proposed data center after opponents staged a protest and sit-in that prevented the meeting from starting. The vote was rescheduled for Friday, with attendance limited to 85 people and a virtual viewing option planned.
The Hermantown City Council was scheduled to consider six resolutions related to Google's proposed data center, including a special-use permit that would authorize data center use at the site. The permit represents a major remaining approval after zoning changes and other agreements connected to the project were considered previously.
Opponents organized under the Stop the Hermantown Data Center group filled the council meeting area and protested after officials stopped accepting public-comment sign-ups. Protesters chanted, blocked the meeting from proceeding and were eventually part of an assembly declared unlawful, forcing the council to postpone the session. A subsequent rescheduling was also canceled because the council chambers serve as an early-voting location. The council plans to hold the meeting Friday evening in the chambers, despite calls to move it to a larger venue such as an event center or high school gymnasium.