A guide to Monticello’s proposed data center ordinance

Monticello, Minnesota, is in the process of drafting a comprehensive Data Center Planned Unit Development (DCPUD) zoning ordinance to manage potential data center construction within the city. The proposed framework aims to establish a specific zoning district for such campuses, which often require extensive land, electricity, and water resources. The City Council is actively reviewing the draft, incorporating public input, and scheduling additional workshops for further discussion. Citizens have expressed various concerns, including power demand, water usage, noise, lighting, traffic, and environmental impacts. In response, city staff have compiled these issues and outlined how the proposed ordinance, alongside existing state regulations, would address them. Key provisions in the draft include requiring developers to prove sufficient electric utility capacity and water system infrastructure, with the city retaining the right to deny projects that would strain these resources. Furthermore, the ordinance sets stringent design standards, such as minimum setback distances for buildings and mechanical equipment (200-500 feet from residential areas), and mandates perimeter berms and landscaping buffers. It also incorporates strict controls on lighting to prevent spillover onto neighboring properties and requires noise studies to ensure compliance with state limits. Construction activity is also regulated, with limits on temporary lighting and requirements for traffic impact studies and infrastructure contributions from developers. Additionally, the ordinance specifies architectural design requirements and mandates environmental reviews for projects exceeding certain thresholds. The city also expects developers to provide tax and employment projections, highlighting the dual aim of mitigating community impacts while potentially expanding the local tax base. Public commentary on the draft ordinance is ongoing, with written feedback being accepted by the planning department. The article also notes that calls for a temporary moratorium on data center development were raised during a recent City Council meeting.