Pine County Board adopts six-month moratorium on data center developments
The Pine County Board of Commissioners adopted a six-month moratorium on data center developments on July 7. This decision also mandates the county’s Zoning Board to study regulations and propose recommendations. The board will use this pause to establish reasonable guidelines for future data center projects in the county.
The Pine County Board of Commissioners voted on July 7 to enact a six-month interim moratorium on new data center developments across all townships and cities opting into county zoning. The measure also directs the county's Zoning Board to conduct a comprehensive study of data center regulations and subsequently provide recommendations for a permanent framework.
The decision followed an informational session held on June 30. Commissioner Roger Nelson, while acknowledging that some might view the moratorium as a mere "delay tactic," emphasized its purpose as an opportunity to develop "realistic guidelines." He successfully advocated for reducing the moratorium's duration from a proposed 12 months to six, arguing for quicker action while allowing for a potential extension if needed.
Commissioner Steve Hallan, who had previously expressed reservations about moratoriums, supported the six-month period as a chance to "go double-time" on establishing clear expectations for data centers. County administrator Kelly Schroeder confirmed the moratorium's scope and the possibility of extending it if the Zoning Board requires more time for its study. A similar motion for a moratorium had previously failed on April 7 due to a lack of a second.