Public pushes back against proposed Elk River data center
Elk River's City Council is considering a proposal for a new 33-megawatt data center, which is the third proposed for the town. The project is facing significant public opposition at recent hearings, with residents raising concerns about noise, power, and the town's character. The council is reviewing zoning ordinance amendments and a conditional use permit, with a vote expected in August.
The Elk River City Council is evaluating a proposal for a new data center, which would be the third in the city. The project, planned for a 60,000 square foot building and projected to be a 33-megawatt facility, is less than half the size of the existing data centers but has garnered substantial public pushback.
Jennifer Hoff reported from a public hearing where residents expressed concerns, some calling the consideration a "travesty." The city council is looking into amending zoning ordinances, setting new standards for aspects like noise levels and cooling systems, and approving a conditional use permit for the proposed development. This comes as other cities in the metropolitan area, including Minneapolis, Eagan, Wright County Townships, and Inver Grove Heights, have passed data center moratoriums.
The developer, who operates other data centers in Minnesota, did not respond to inquiries. The council is scheduled for two more public hearings before reviewing the application and is expected to vote on the proposal in early August.