Residents push back against data center proposal
Residents of Elk River, Minnesota, are pushing back against a proposed 33-megawatt data center near a brewery and neighborhood. The Elk River City Council is scheduled to vote on the plan in August, which would require changes to zoning ordinances and the creation of new standards for noise and cooling.
An Elk River City Council meeting saw significant public opposition to a proposed 33-megawatt data center. The facility is planned for a vacant 60,000-square-foot building, located near a brewery and residential neighborhood.
Two other larger data centers already operate in the city, but they are exempt from current regulations due to being over 20 years old. The City Council is expected to vote on the new proposal in August. Approval would necessitate changes to existing zoning ordinances and the development of new standards specifically addressing noise and cooling requirements for data centers. Two additional public hearings are scheduled before the vote.