The Inver Grove Heights City Council has enacted a one-year moratorium on new data center developments, effective immediately. This decision aims to provide city officials with time to evaluate the potential impacts of such facilities on the community.
Background
The moratorium was prompted by a proposal from Qlevr, a data company seeking to establish a 54,000-square-foot facility at the former Travel Tags building on Carmen Avenue East. The application, submitted on April 27, raised concerns among residents about potential noise, increased water and electricity usage, and overall community impact.
City Council Decision
In a 3-2 vote, the City Council approved the moratorium, halting all pending and future data center applications for one year. This period will allow city staff to conduct a comprehensive study on the effects of data centers, including their impact on local utilities and zoning regulations.
Community Response
Residents have expressed mixed reactions. Some, like Steve Schmidt, voiced concerns about the strain on local resources, stating, “We do not want this data center in here at all. It’s going to screw up our water and our electricity.” Others are awaiting the results of the city’s study before forming an opinion.
Next Steps
The City Council plans to revisit the topic in June to discuss the findings of the study and determine the best course of action regarding data center developments in Inver Grove Heights.
