By Rich Larson
On Tuesday Night the Northfield City Council unanimously approved changes to setback requirements for data processing centers, following extensive public input about the potential consequences of allowing such facilities in the community.
The amendment sets a 200-foot setback from existing or planned trails, matching the required distance from homes. City Administrator Ben Martig said the previous trail setback was substantially larger and effectively prevented data centers from locating in the affected area.
The vote changed zoning requirements; it did not approve construction of a data center.
Residents raised concerns about water consumption, noise, vibration, lighting and other potential impacts. Martig said problems experienced by communities elsewhere made those concerns legitimate and deserving of attention.
Mayor Erica Zweifel said feedback came through emails, text messages and testimony in a crowded council chamber. At Councilor Sokup’s suggestion, council members held an additional question period after public comment, allowing them to ask staff about concerns residents had raised.
Zweifel said the discussion helped inform her decision. And she pointed out, even as members of the public are asking for a 2-3 year moratorium on the construction of data centers in Northfield, that the city previously paused data center development to establish regulations, and those protections remain open to further review.
“But I’m hearing what people are asking for. Northfield has taken those steps and done that. The moratorium, let’s make sure we have our regulations in place. We have our regulations in place. And we’re still open to improving upon that.”
Martig said conditional use permit requirements also provide opportunities to impose additional conditions on individual proposals following public review.
The council separately supported further examination of the regulations, including a possible framework based on facility size. That work would occur alongside the city’s broader land development code update.
Asked why the city continues considering data centers despite public opposition, Martig said the city needs business and industrial development to expand its tax base, while setting standards that address local impacts.
Zweifel said any proposal should produce a net benefit for Northfield. Potential benefits discussed included reusing heat generated by servers, electrical infrastructure improvements and tax revenue.
Martig said developers in the northwest industrial area would be expected to pay for needed water and sewer infrastructure as development proceeds there.
Rich Larson is the owner and General Manager of KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
