The Waite Park City Council has unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data center developments within the city. This decision aims to provide city officials with the necessary time to study potential impacts, including water usage, and to draft appropriate regulations before any applications move forward.
Planning Director Jon Noerenberg highlighted that while data centers are becoming more common across Minnesota, Waite Park’s current ordinances are not well-suited for such developments. Unlike previous moratoriums on solar and quarrying projects, which were implemented after development had already begun, the city is proactively addressing this issue before any proposals have been submitted.
City staff plan to study data centers in nearby communities to inform the drafting of new regulations. An exception in the draft ordinance allows for the construction of a small, 300-square-foot telecommunications shelter with fiber-optic equipment, which is not data center-related and does not require water to operate.
This proactive approach reflects Waite Park’s commitment to thoughtful urban planning and resource management, ensuring that future developments align with the city’s infrastructure capabilities and community needs.