Data center opponents shut down Hermantown City Council meeting
Opponents of Google’s proposed 1.66-million-square-foot data center disrupted a Hermantown City Council meeting, prompting police to declare an unlawful assembly and forcing the council to delay votes on project permits. The council was expected to consider a special-use permit, development agreements, environmental matters and property replatting, while opponents pursue related court action.
Dozens of opponents filled Hermantown City Hall and disrupted a scheduled City Council meeting on Monday, chanting against Google’s proposed data center. Police Chief Jim Crace declared the gathering an unlawful and unsafe assembly, ordering occupants to leave; the council briefly convened and then rescheduled the meeting for Tuesday evening. The delay pushed back a vote on six resolutions needed to advance the 1.66-million-square-foot facility.
The proposed project would include three data buildings, mechanical buildings, utility infrastructure, offices and related site improvements on a 234-acre property. The council was also expected to consider a special-use permit, a development agreement with Google, a cooperative agreement with St. Louis County and an environmental-assessment petition. Opponents, including Stop the Hermantown Data Center and the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, argue officials provided inadequate notice and failed to address environmental and community impacts. Judge Theresa Neo previously denied a temporary restraining order but left open future challenges to the environmental review and permit process.