Monticello Tech eyes July application for proposed data center site
Monticello Tech LLC is preparing to submit a formal application for a proposed data center on a 500-acre site in Monticello, Minnesota, as early as July. The application will include requests for rezoning and a conditional use permit, initiating a public review process. This development proceeds amidst an ongoing lawsuit filed by the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy challenging the city's environmental review for the project.
Monticello Tech LLC is poised to submit a formal application as early as July for a substantial data center project on a 500-acre parcel south of 85th Street NE and east of Highway 25 in Monticello, Minnesota. According to City Administrator Rachel Leonard, developers are working to finalize materials for what is expected to be a multi-faceted application.
The anticipated submission will include requests for rezoning the site to a Data Center Planned Unit Development (DCPUD) district, along with a preliminary plat and a conditional use permit. These actions would formally launch the city's rigorous review process, which involves public hearings before both the Planning Commission and the City Council, allowing for community input.
This progression occurs despite an ongoing lawsuit filed in February by the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) in Wright County District Court. The MCEA's suit challenges the adequacy of the city's Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) regarding the project's potential environmental impacts. While the lawsuit continues, a recent agreement permits Monticello Tech to advance with planning and permitting, provided they give 90 days' notice before initiating any construction. Court proceedings, including a pretrial conference, are slated to continue through late 2024, with recent procedural movements including a judicial reassignment.
City officials, including Council member Kip Christianson, emphasize that the review system is designed to be comprehensive, ensuring oversight and opportunities for community engagement. They also note that pre-application discussions are standard for projects of this magnitude, focusing on ordinance requirements, utility extensions, and infrastructure improvements.