The Minneapolis City Council is poised to pass zoning regulations that would give developers the right to build data centers and shut out avenues for public input. The four democratic socialists on the City Council advocated for a full ban on data centers in all areas of the city. The democratic socialists, Council Members Wonsley, Chughtai, Chavez, and Stevenson, were joined in supporting the ban by Council Member Chowdhury and President Payne. The measure fell just short of just one vote of the seven votes needed to pass. One council member was absent.
Since a full ban was not adopted, democratic socialist Council Members advocated for regulations that include Overlay Zoning, not Primary Zoning. Overlay Zoning allows the Planning Commission and City Council to consider community opposition, concerns about energy usage, and other factors in evaluating a proposed data center development. Primary Zoning gives developers the right to build a data center, and limits the Planning Commission and City Council’s ability to deny an application for a data center development. The same six council members voted against Primary Zoning and advanced Overlay Zoning downtown, which would have allowed public concerns to be considered when considering data center development.
The lead author is Ward 7 Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer.
“Big Tech is spending billions lobbying local governments, but no amount of money has been able to overcome the massive public opposition to data centers. A full ban is the only policy that we can honestly claim reflects resident opinion on data centers,” said Ward 2 Council Member Robin Wonsley, the lead author on the ban.
“In 2025, Ward 10 had the opportunity to elect a council member who ran on wanting to build a data center in our community, and they resoundingly rejected the idea,” said Ward 10 Council Member Aisha Chughtai. “My position is the same as a vast majority of my constituents and nearly 70% of people in this country - I oppose data centers, and the big tech monopolies creating an economic bubble for billionaires to profit.”
“Minneapolis residents, and my constituents, are clear and united on this issue: they do not want data centers in our city,” said Ward 8 Council Member Soren Stevenson. “That is why I was proud to co-author this full ban on data centers with my colleagues. I hear my constituents loud and clear, and will continue to fight for strong protections from data centers and AI in Minneapolis.”
“Residents deserve the strongest protection for them and their neighbors,” said Ward 9 Council Member Jason Chavez. “Whether it’s downtown and or any other neighborhood across this city, land use should be for playgrounds, small businesses, housing, and families rather than Big Tech and their servers, profits, dirty energy, noise, and pollution. I will continue to fight for our residents to put in place the strongest data center regulations possible.”
The City Council is scheduled to vote on the adoption of regulations on Nov. 12, when further amendments may be proposed. The municipal moratorium expires on Nov. 21. Residents can email all 13 council members at CityCouncilMembers@minneapolismn.gov.
Information from democratic socialists and the Ward 2 office.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here