Harmony Township may enact a two-year moratorium that would halt Geronimo Power’s efforts to build a data center in the area.
Approximately 50 people gathered Tuesday morning, Sept. 22, at the Mapleton Community Center, including township leaders and residents. Other interested parties in attendance included representatives from Geronimo Power, a Minnesota-based energy company that is building a solar facility in the township and recently shared plans for more developments, including battery storage and a data center.
A common sentiment among the people who spoke up during the meeting’s public comment period was: “It’s moving too fast.”
Dustin Burchill — appointed to take Jim Nelson’s place as board chair after he stepped down — said residents filed a petition asking to be heard on why they feel a moratorium is appropriate.
Residents at Tuesday’s meeting shared concerns about tonal noise, decreased property values, water usage, road traffic, ability to farm organically, lack of study into wildlife impacts and lack of research as a whole on the impacts of data centers.
The topic got some traction…
Burchill made a motion, which passed unanimously, to hold a public hearing that would serve as a formal opportunity for people to comment on whether they think a moratorium is appropriate.
The language he used in his motion — which may not be the final language used — was for a two-year zoning moratorium for all industrial-scale development including solar, wind, data centers, battery storage systems, electric transmission lines and gas-fired electrical generation facilities “in order to update its zoning ordinances to further protect the township and its residents.”
The process will include special meetings as well as a recommendation by the zoning board, township supervisors told The Forum after the meeting adjourned.
The township’s next regular meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 20. The date of the special meeting has not been determined.