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Council tables ordinance to define and permit data centers in I2 after public concerns
Summary
After public testimony and council debate about a broadly worded definition, the Faribault City Council voted to table Ordinance 2026‑06 (which would define 'data center' and allow them by right in I2 zones) to a committee/work session for further refinement; council recorded a tabling vote of 4–2.
The Faribault City Council on April 14 tabled a staff‑proposed zoning text amendment (Ordinance 2026‑06) that would define "data center" and allow data centers as a permitted use in I2 heavy industrial zones.
Planning Manager Harry Davis said staff drafted a clear definition and limited the change to I2 zones so data centers would not be allowed in other districts. He told the council the amendment was recommended for legal clarity and to conform to direction from city administration and the city attorney.
Multiple residents spoke in opposition during the public‑comment period, citing environmental and community impacts. Karen Zeller, who identified herself and provided written materials to councilors, raised concerns about potential contamination from "forever chemicals" and groundwater impacts, saying the environmental risks could outlast residents’ lifetimes.
Several council members said the draft definition as written appeared overbroad. Council Member Rowan, who described himself as a local business owner, said the definition could unintentionally capture local internet service providers, small IT firms and even banks — businesses that operate servers as part of their service but are not typically considered data centers. "This is overly broad," Rowan said, urging the council to send the language back for clarification.
Council Member Rowan moved to table the ordinance and send it to committee for further work; the motion carried on a recorded tabling vote (meeting record indicates a 4–2 vote in favor of tabling). Several members urged staff to draft specific design standards and narrower language before the council takes final action.
Mayor Spooner and planning staff said they would put the ordinance back on a future work session agenda and that staff would meet with council members to refine the definition and scope.
The ordinance remains in committee pending revision; no application for a specific data center was discussed at the meeting and the city’s legal counsel reminded the body it was involved in ongoing litigation related to a proposed data‑center matter and to avoid discussing pending application specifics in public session.
