Minneapolis City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Zoning Code Text Amendment for Data Centers
Votes (1)
Zoning Code Text Amendment for Data Centers
Staff presented the proposed text amendment, explaining that it defines 'data center' and introduces regulations focusing on downtown Minneapolis (DT1, DT2 districts) for new data centers. Key proposals include limiting them to existing structures, requiring a conditional use permit (CUP), capping 'white space' at 175,000 sq ft, and mandating disclosures for water, electricity, and noise. Staff addressed concerns about electricity and water consumption, noise, and design by arguing the proposed rules are among the strictest in the country. Commissioners questioned the scope, environmental impacts, engagement with indigenous communities, and the balance between economic development and community welfare. Over 30 public speakers voiced strong opposition, advocating for a complete ban or significantly stricter regulations, including an extended moratorium, lower white space caps, public notification, and the elimination of primary zoning for data centers. An Excel Energy representative stated that data centers cover their own infrastructure costs and do not impede the state's 2040 carbon-free electricity goal.
Notable Quotes (8)
our zoning code is three years old. that does not use the term data center. So earlier this year, the city council enacted a six-month moratorum on the establishment or expansion of data centers.
I believe we are we have proposed some of the strictest rules in the country to try and ensure that all of these challenges are met while still allowing that 8 million square feet of vacant space to to have a path to being utilized.
Um I'd just like to point out that uh the Mississippi River, particularly around um Oamni um is um regional parkland, but it is also considered um vital and historic to Dakota people. Um so I would recommend that the city looks into that and includes those communities in further discussions about things that could potentially impact that area.
what we currently have in place is wholly inadequate to meet the moment as it comes to new generation data centers that are not the data centers that power hospitals, banks, universities. We're talking about the generative AI data centers, the ones involved in crypto mining, the ones that support high loads of use, very very high loads of use.
We must defend our access to public resources. We have one grocery store downtown. My public school system is in a financial crisis. We need to be focused on creating infrastructure to support the public, not privatizing land that could otherwise be used to promote the common welfare.
In fact, these developments provide more taxes, right, per square foot than almost any other kind of development. And that's what we need. If we want to convert more buildings uh from commercial into residential, that takes money.
when there's such overwhelming opposition, yet we're seeing city hall continue to advance policies that accommodate these facilities. And that really should cause us to pause and question who are data centers actually serving?
We do not foresee that um uh any load growth be it from a data center or a mixeduse commercial or residential or any incoming customer uh truly that we are agnostic towards the customer use will impact us achieving that 2040 goal by uh by the state law.
Ordinances & Resolutions (12)
The current municipal regulatory document being amended, which does not explicitly use the term 'data center'.
The proposed legislative text for regulating data centers.
Temporary ban on data center establishment/expansion enacted by City Council earlier in the year.
Staff report providing a landscape analysis of data centers nationwide and issues cities are experiencing.
Online platform used for public comments on draft recommendations.
State building standard that cities are not able to exceed.
Code governing accessory battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Code governing accessory battery energy storage systems (BESS).
State legislation mentioned by a speaker regarding water permits for data centers.
Political platform mentioned by a speaker as including a strong regulatory framework for data centers.
Report from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on projected climate change costs for the state.
Excel Energy's plan for energy mix and investments, approved by the utility commission.