Farmington residents press council for moratorium, larger setbacks as TRAC data center draws criticism

Several Farmington residents used the city’s public-comment period on Oct. 20 to urge the City Council to reconsider approvals tied to a proposed TRAC hyperscale data center and to impose larger setbacks or a moratorium to protect nearby homes.

Nancy Arstead of Beaumont Avenue said the project would bring constant light and noise "24/7" and asked the council to protect families living near the site. "This data center is surrounded by our homes. It's surrounded by established homes, 250 foot setbacks. It's surrounded by children, babies, grandparents, hardworking families," Arstead said.

Resident Jeff Schottler, who lives on Calico Court, told the council the project "does not follow or support your guiding principles" and that he and neighbors had proposed alternative designs and buffer options the council had not considered. "We are your people and your residents," Schottler said, urging more conversation.

Nate Ryan, who identified himself as a nearby resident, urged the council to consider a temporary moratorium and cited Minnesota statute 462.355 as a mechanism some cities use to pause development while conducting studies. "I definitely think that there is serious public harm that can come with these data centers," Ryan said, pointing to fire risks, water-pressure concerns and construction noise and glare.

City Attorney (first reference as "City Attorney") told the council that a moratorium would not apply to the TRAC project because approvals already exist and that adopting a moratorium for the purpose of stopping an already-approved project would expose the city to legal challenge. "A moratorium for this project is not allowed. It is already approved," the City Attorney said, and cautioned that the city would likely lose a lawsuit seeking to undo approvals.

Mayor Hoyt and other council members reiterated that city code and the MUCI (mixed-use commercial-industrial) zoning district, as written, provide flexibility for different types of development and that the city must apply its code to Farmington parcels. The mayor also reminded the audience that the council is awaiting a judge's decision on motions pending since July; the judge's decision, the mayor said, is expected by deadline next week.

No formal council action related to the data center, setbacks or a moratorium was taken at the meeting; multiple residents said they intend to continue public opposition and litigation is ongoing.

Speakers in the record include Nancy Arstead, Jeff Schottler (22420 Calico Court), Nate Ryan (Cambrian Way), the City Attorney, Mayor Hoyt and multiple council members. The transcript records specific safety, zoning and infrastructure concerns raised by residents and includes a legal response from the city attorney that a moratorium would be legally vulnerable because approvals are already in place.