Community raises concern about public notice for data center in Mountain Lake
A proposed data center in Mountain Lake, Minnesota, is facing community opposition due to concerns over inadequate public notice and potential impacts. Residents worry about noise, health, and safety, while the city highlights potential tax base expansion and electrical infrastructure benefits. The City Council is scheduled to hold a meeting for public comment to decide the project's future.
A data center proposal in the City of Mountain Lake, Minnesota, has become a polarizing issue, with residents expressing significant concerns about the project. Reporter Evan Berg highlighted the community's frustration regarding what they perceive as insufficient communication from the city about the project's potential impacts.
Community members voiced that many residents were unaware of the proposal, and that a diverse population in town may not have understood the public notices that were legally required. Residents are particularly worried about the site's proximity to residential areas, with one person stating they have a house within shouting distance of the proposed 3rd Avenue location. Concerns include noise, health, and safety, as well as questioning if the potential benefits are worth the tradeoffs.
The city's Planning Commission first received the proposal for a conditional use permit last fall, and public hearings were held on October 20th and November 6th. The city, however, projects that the data center will provide substantial benefits, expecting it to widen the tax base, strengthen electrical infrastructure, and generate an estimated $400,000 in annual gross margin for the city's electrical utility, potentially helping to halt climbing utility rates.
In response to the growing opposition and feedback, the City Council will meet next Monday at 5:30 PM at the Community Center to further discuss the proposal. Community members wishing to provide public comment must register beforehand with their full name and address. The city has indicated it will try to improve communication going forward.