Woodbury approves study and moratorium on data centers, other high-volume infrastructure

The Woodbury City Council, including Mayor Anne Burt, unanimously voted to enact a one-year moratorium on the expansion of data centers and other high-volume public infrastructure. This interim ordinance aims to temporarily prevent new approvals, rezoning proposals, and conditional use permits for such developments while the city conducts a comprehensive study.

City planner Eric Searles explained that the proactive measure is not a response to any specific pending application but rather a move to protect the planning process. The study will evaluate regulations, environmental impacts, effects on residential neighborhoods, and compare Woodbury's standards to other communities, ultimately leading to the drafting of permanent zoning standards.

Residents attending the council meeting voiced concerns about existing data centers and potential future expansions, highlighting issues such as water use, electricity consumption, and noise pollution. While some residents viewed the moratorium as a positive step, others, like Charles Dix, questioned the timing and suggested it might be politically motivated, advocating for detailed plans from data center owners to address environmental and noise concerns before any expansion.

The ordinance applies broadly to any high-volume users of public infrastructure, defined as entities that would rank among the city's top annual consumers of services like sanitary sewer or water. While existing data centers, including those operated by Irongate Data Center and owned by Medtronic, can still reach their currently allotted capacity, the moratorium prevents any further expansion beyond what is already permitted for a year.