Lino Lakes City Council continues data center discussion
The Lino Lakes City Council discussed how the city’s existing zoning rules apply to data centers and what additional standards might be needed. Officials noted potential concerns about water use, infrastructure and local control, but no company has proposed a project and the council took no formal action.
Lino Lakes Community Development Director Michael Grochala briefed the City Council on data centers, their infrastructure needs and the city’s current land-use regulations. Data centers are permitted in the city’s Light Industrial, General Industrial and Business Campus districts, although projects would still need to meet applicable development, building and state requirements.
Council members Randy Rennaker, Julia Nelson and Chris Lyden raised questions about local control, water consumption and whether data centers should be prohibited or subject to additional standards. Grochala said staff had not explored a ban but could consider establishing standards. No company has approached Lino Lakes about building a data center, and the council took no formal action.