Waite Park Council to Weigh One-Year Moratorium on Data Centers at Public Hearing

The Waite Park City Council is set to conduct a public hearing on Monday, May 4th, to consider an interim ordinance proposing a one-year moratorium on data center development. The proposed ban would temporarily prevent the city from accepting applications or issuing building permits for data center projects in its industrial districts. According to city staff, Waite Park's existing zoning ordinances do not specifically address data centers or the significant demands they can place on municipal resources. The moratorium's primary purpose is to provide city staff with up to 12 months to thoroughly study the issue and develop comprehensive regulations before any developer formally submits a proposal. City Administrator Shaunna Johnson highlighted concerns about data centers being heavy water users and producers of significant noise, emphasizing that while the city is not opposed to such facilities, it desires a complete understanding of their impacts. The draft ordinance includes a narrow exception for small telecommunications shelter buildings under 300 square feet that do not require water service. The proposal is unrelated to any specific data center use, but rather a proactive measure to address growing attention to data center impacts across Minnesota.