On the topic of data centers, Northfield residents made clear Thursday that their voices would be heard — and, more specifically, their hands.
About two hours after Planning Commission Chair Bill Kuhlmann gave up trying to hold back applause from an audience that filled the council chamber and two overflow rooms, the Northfield Planning Commission moved toward banning hyperscale data centers, directing staff to formulate a model for the ban based on power consumption.
The second agenda item began as a request from staff to address what was described as a “typo” or “error” in the Land Development Code surrounding data processing facilities, or data centers. Specifically, a setback of 3,950 feet from planned parks, trails or other recreational features was recommended to be changed to a 200-foot setback. The 3,950-foot setback meant it was effectively impossible for any data center to be proposed.
The article highlights many of the public and elected officials speeches…
The decision comes as the city of Northfield has worked to attract industrial development to its Northwest Industrial Park, which it advertises on the city webpage as “a prime data center and industrial development opportunity.” One of the city’s main strategic priorities as of late has been to diversify its tax revenue, focusing largely on industrial development in the northwest park.
Mathias Hughey, the city planner, also noted the city’s strict environmental regulations that would still apply to any proposed development. Once Kuhlmann opened the floor to public comment on the topic, residents made it clear they weren’t budging on the matter.
In the end…
The motion, which would recommend to City Council that the city list data-processing facilities as a prohibited use in Northfield, passed unanimously.