Minneapolis City Council narrowly approves data center ordinance that adds regulations

Minneapolis City Council narrowly approves data center ordinance that adds regulations By KSTP The Minneapolis City Council narrowly approved a data center ordinance on Thursday, by a vote of 7 to 6. The ordinance includes a variety of regulations, including: Located in one of two downtown overlay districts A maximum of 150,000 square feet in size when using renewable energy or up to 50,000 square feet for non-renewable energy Operate in an existing office space Cannot be the primary use of a building Council members who voted aye: Elliott Payne (Ward 1), Aisha Chughtai (Ward 10), Robin Wonsley (Ward 2), Soren Stevenson (Ward 8), Jason Chavez (Ward 9), Jamison Whiting (Ward 11) and Aurin Chowdhury (Ward 12). Council members who voted nay: Jamal Osman (Ward 6), Michael Rainville (Ward 3), LaTrisha Vetaw (Ward 4), Pearll Warren (Ward 5), Elizabeth Shaffer (Ward 7) and Linea Palmisano (Ward 13). You can watch the city council meeting HERE or below and see supporting documents for the data ordinance HERE . The ordinance will now head to the mayor’s desk for him to approve or veto it. RELATED: Minneapolis City Council advances data center plan, lays out rules