Monticello council reviews draft ordinance to regulate data center development

Monticello officials held a workshop to review a draft Data Center Planned Unit Development (DCPUD) ordinance designed to evaluate data center projects via a PUD rezoning and staged review rather than an immediate permissive use change. City Administrator Rachel Leonard told council members that the workshop aimed to discuss the ordinance framework and that "no formal decisions would be made, and staff will consider Council discussion for incorporation into a future version of the ordinance."

City Attorney Soren Mattick summarized the legal basis for land-use regulation under Chapter 462 and stressed the need for clear, objective standards to avoid ambiguity. Staff described the proposed three-stage DCPUD review—concept, preliminary, and final—plus development agreements to outline responsibilities. Mr. Mattick emphasized the statutory timeline constraints, noting the so-called "60-day rule" and cautioning that cities should not add steps that have the effect of improperly extending review periods.

The council’s feedback ranged from technical clarifications on submittal requirements to policy-level questions about whether the City should set caps on project size, require municipal water service, or seek enforceable community benefits. Staff said a summary of suggested revisions will be circulated at the next Council meeting and that a draft ordinance may be brought for formal consideration at the second April meeting. The meeting adjourned without any votes or formal actions on the ordinance.