Barnes County extends data center moratorium to draft local rules
Barnes County commissioners unanimously extended the county's moratorium on commercial data center development for six months, through next May. The extension gives county officials more time to finalize local zoning and facility standards amid resident concerns about developers securing agricultural land through nondisclosure agreements.
Barnes County commissioners in North Dakota voted unanimously to extend a moratorium on commercial data centers through next May. The county's initial temporary freeze was scheduled to expire in mid-November, but officials said additional time is needed to complete local zoning rules before technology companies seek to build in the area.
Barnes County Emergency Manager Jessica Jenrich said county planning staff and Assistant State's Attorney Trent Jackson are reviewing data center ordinances from other North Dakota counties. The proposed blanket ordinance would establish baseline application and facility standards, followed by public readings and a final commission vote. Officials can lift the moratorium early if the work is completed ahead of schedule. Residents have raised concerns about developers using nondisclosure agreements to secure agricultural land, while Valley City officials said no data center operators had approached the city as of May.