Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission postpones final action on draft data‑center ordinance to let staff work with utilities and tighten technical requirements
Summary
Commissioners discussed a draft data‑center ordinance covering noise, hazardous materials, wastewater, energy and screening standards and decided to ask staff to work further with Brainerd Public Utilities and return with more specific language before holding a public hearing.
The Brainerd Planning Commission reviewed a draft ordinance intended to regulate data centers, crypto-mining and related high-density computing facilities but did not hold a public hearing or adopt the ordinance. Commissioners asked staff to work further with Brainerd Public Utilities and other departments to refine technical requirements and to return with clearer language before any public hearing.
Community Development Director James Krambick summarized staff edits made since the previous draft and proposed additions: a requirement that applicants show they have contracted for a third‑party acoustic study when noise complaints arise, submission of a water and wastewater plan for public-works and utilities review before approval, and a discussion of energy standards tied to Brainerd Public Utilities’ capacity and plan. Krambick said staff’s goal is to ensure developers present fully vetted engineering and utility information before planning review.
A representative identified in the meeting record as a public-utilities representative urged more technical specificity and recommended several additions: require applicants to identify the technical standard or certification the facility will meet (for example, relevant data‑center certification standards), include noise-study guidance that accounts for on-site generator operation, require hazardous-materials and SDS documentation for any on-site liquids (for example glycol), and require a system-impact or transmission study for loads above one megawatt so utilities and transmission owners can identify needed upgrades.
Several commissioners, including newer members, said the ordinance contained detailed technical obligations that staff and Brainerd Public Utilities are better positioned to craft. One commissioner said the draft should be more generalized for Planning Commission review and that staff should bring clarified language back to the commission. Krambick said staff will work with the utilities director and return with a revised draft; the commission did not proceed to a public hearing at this meeting.
