Northfield City Council to Consider Data Center Setback Changes
The Northfield City Council is considering an ordinance that would reduce the setback for data processing facilities from 3,950 feet to 200 feet from parks, trails and other recreational features. Residents oppose the change because they fear it could enable a future data center, although city officials say no project application is pending.
The Northfield City Council is scheduled to consider the first reading of Ordinance 1098, which would reduce the required setback for data processing facilities from 3,950 feet to 200 feet from parks, trails and other recreational areas. City staff say the existing setback effectively prevents data centers in the city’s industrial areas, while the proposed change would leave the 25-acre minimum site requirement and other standards intact.
Residents have raised concerns that the amendment could be a preliminary step toward approving a data center, but Councilor Kathleen Holmes and Community Development Director Scott Wopata said there is no pending application, nondisclosure agreement or active project. Officials acknowledged that a data center representative contacted the city informally, and Councilor Chad Beumer described the current setback as having functioned like a moratorium. The Planning Commission has separately recommended prohibiting data centers in the industrial district, while the Council is considering future performance standards involving issues such as power consumption, water use and utility costs.