Minneapolis council to vote on data center regulations

The Minneapolis City Council is poised to pass zoning regulations Thursday that limit the size of new data centers and restrict them to the city’s downtown.

City leaders agree that, at a minimum, data centers must be regulated. But they disagree on how strict those regulations should be, and some back a full ban.

Supporters of data center development argue it can bring in needed jobs and tax revenue to communities.

“Look around our city. We do not see cranes. We are not building, and our construction trades need work,” said council member Elizabeth Shaffer, who was one of the lead writers of the regulations.

“Do data centers drive a lot of permanent jobs? No. Do they drive more jobs than vacant space? Absolutely,” she said.

Proponents als...