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Data Center Zoning Regulations 60-Day Comment Period is now open; learn about the recommendations and make your voice heard:
https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/planning-zoning/amendments/proposed-adopted/data-centers/
Make your voice heard at the public hearing on October 13, 4:30 PM at the Planning Commission Meeting, at the Public Service Center ( 250 S 4th St).
Below, I will share the toplines of the current policy recommendations, then outline two major concerns about where things currently stand, particularly regarding a Data Center Overlay District and the allowable use of 175,000 square feet for Downtown data centers.
New Generation Data Centers are a rapidly changing industry that has created significant public and community concern about Big Tech companies making land-use decisions that do not serve our communities, use large volumes of water, and consume large amounts of electricity that lead to higher carbon emissions.
That is why, in May of 2026, I led the effort to draft a 6-month data center moratorium. I hoped we could have had a longer moratorium that expanded across Minneapolis, but most City Council members lacked the political will for that, and a few even have championed the data center industry. So the moratorium included a carve-out for Downtown data centers in order to pass.
Over the last several months, my office has worked hard to advocate for Minneapolis residents for strong regulations that put the public first, not big-tech shareholders.
As the council member for the 12th Ward, I do not believe we need more data centers in Minneapolis– the harms that have been done to communities across the country by the same companies who wish to develop in our State. However, the Data Center industry and its aligned interests have enough support among City Council members that a full ban is likely unachievable.
That is why I have been advocating for policy that will enact a strong regulatory framework, do everything possible to protect our communities from negative impacts, and ensure people have a say. We have a starting set of recommendations; you need to weigh in, and we still need to make further changes to address community concerns.
Toplines:
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Define “data center” in the Minneapolis zoning code and require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for all new or expanded data centers, including public review by the Planning Commission and appeals to the City Council.
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Data centers are only an allowable use in the DT1 and DT2 downtown districts, subject to a 175,000-square-foot maximum for server/equipment space.
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Limit new data centers to existing buildings, while allowing minor additions and requiring equipment to be located inside or on rooftops.
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Establish siting and building standards to limit impacts on residential areas, including restrictions on server-room locations, first- and second-floor equipment, and stand-alone data centers.
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Require applications to address and disclose infrastructure and environmental impacts, including anticipated water and electricity use, generators, noise, and coordination with the electric utility.
Major Concerns:
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Data Center Overlay Districts are being considered. This is concerning because property owners outside of downtown could request that data centers be allowed throughout the city in our neighborhoods through a rezoning process. I oppose this and believe that land in our neighborhoods should be used for housing, parks, playgrounds, and businesses that bring vibrancy into our community. New-generation data centers used for generative AI are deeply unpopular land uses in neighborhoods, and we are still learning about their impacts.
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175,000 square feet of space is far too much. Staff shared that this allows uses of up to 80-90 Megawatts. This is far too high. Only 63% of energy is clean energy at present, and this large energy use will increase emissions. The square footage must be brought down, as Data Centers increasingly can pack more high-energy computing power into smaller spaces. We will need state law to change for us to regulate by megawatt.
If you have any questions, would like to learn more, or get involved with this policy work, please reach out to my office: Ward12@minneapolismn.gov
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