Elk River Blocks Data Center Zoning Change
The Elk River City Council rejected a proposed zoning change to allow a data center in its light industrial zone, following a packed public meeting and community concerns. This decision leaves the project's permit status uncertain while officials consider a deeper study of utilities, noise, and neighborhood impacts. The mayor also suggested a one-year moratorium on new data centers.
The Elk River City Council voted to reject a proposed ordinance amendment that would have allowed a data center project to proceed in the city's light industrial zone. The decision came after a public meeting with an overflow crowd, where residents and council members raised pointed questions and concerns.
The proposed project involved converting an existing 60,000-square-foot industrial building into a data center, promising about 40 jobs and significant annual revenue. However, key sticking points included the proposed electrical load, cooling systems, and noise mitigation, with neighbors and council members demanding more data and formal studies.
Mayor John Dietz suggested a one-year moratorium to allow city staff to assess existing data centers and their potential impacts before rewriting local rules. The council's rejection of the ordinance amendment leaves the project's conditional use permit unresolved and its future uncertain. This local action reflects a broader regional trend, as cities like Eagan and Inver Grove Heights in the Twin Cities metro have also enacted temporary moratoria on data center development, facing legal challenges from developers.