Wright County enacts emergency data center moratorium
Wright County commissioners unanimously approved a one-year emergency moratorium on new data center applications in townships after a public hearing. Residents raised concerns about water, power, noise, and overall quality of life. The moratorium will allow county officials to develop new regulations, but it will not impact existing projects under city zoning, such as the proposed Monticello Tech LLC campus.
The Wright County Board of Commissioners unanimously enacted a one-year moratorium on new data center applications within its township zoning authority following a public hearing in Buffalo. The decision came after extensive testimony from numerous residents, particularly from the Monticello area, who expressed significant concerns regarding the potential impacts of large-scale data center development on water resources, power grids, quality of life, and property values.
Board Chair Darek Vetsch indicated that the county plans to establish a stakeholder work group during the moratorium period to draft future ordinance language governing the location and operation of data centers. Commissioner Kirby Moynagh framed the moratorium as a proactive measure to address development pressures. However, county officials clarified that the moratorium cannot impose an outright ban on data centers and will not affect projects already proceeding under city zoning, specifically citing a proposed 550-acre data center campus tied to Monticello Tech LLC.
Residents like Jeanne Yohn of Monticello Township advocated for the pause, emphasizing the need for more study and protection for townships. Jenna Van Den Boom, representing the Stop the Monticello Data Centers group, highlighted the lack of information on environmental impacts. Concerns ranged from aquifer protection and wastewater contamination to noise and light pollution, with many urging officials not to rely solely on information from developers. All 14 speakers at the public hearing and seven of eight written comments supported the temporary halt.
The moratorium, enacted under Minnesota law, will remain in effect for up to one year, providing time for the county to study the issue and conduct additional public review, including forming a work group for ordinance development. This move reflects a broader effort by some residents to protect the county's rural character and natural resources.