Planning Commission recommends data center code updates
The Eden Prairie Planning Commission recommended updates to city code to regulate potential data center development. These amendments aim to establish definitions, zoning requirements, and guidelines for water and electricity usage, as well as noise mitigation, before any proposals are submitted to the city. The updated code now awaits City Council approval.
The Eden Prairie Planning Commission has recommended approval of city code amendments to proactively regulate future data center developments. The proposed changes, part of Chapter 11 of the city code, define data centers, restrict their placement to I-Gen industrial zoning districts, and mandate a 700-foot buffer from residential areas to reduce noise impacts. City Planner Jeremy Barnhart explained that while no specific data center proposals have been received, the city aims to be prepared with clear criteria for developers.
The amendments also address environmental concerns related to water and electricity consumption. Developers would need to provide information on water usage, cooling systems, and electrical infrastructure, with the city encouraging water recycling and the use of renewable energy sources due to data centers' significant resource demands. The commission’s recommendation, made without opposition, now moves to the City Council for final approval, establishing a framework to manage potential data center impacts on the community and its resources.