Minneapolis City Council votes on data center rules and police chief nominee

The Minneapolis City Council is scheduled to vote Thursday on a compromise ordinance for new data centers, which would limit them to existing downtown buildings, cap server space at 150,000 square feet and require larger centers to join a renewable energy program. A six-month pause on most new data centers expires November 21. The council is also set to consider Mayor Jacob Frey's nomination of interim police chief Bill Peterson, who has led the department since this summer, and whether to override Frey's veto of a contract extension with crisis responders Canopy Roots.

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Why it matters

The ordinance sets where new data centers can be built in Minneapolis and what energy rules they follow. The city received about 1,600 public comments on the issue. If no rules pass, data centers fall under existing zoning, which allows them with a permit in 10 of the city's 15 zoning districts.

What to watch

The temporary pause on most new data centers expires November 21.

How each side sees it

Supporters of the ordinance sayLabor groups and proponents say data centers bring jobs and tax revenue and are needed for cloud storage and artificial intelligence; the mayor's office says he supports the framework of the compromise.

Opponents sayThe city received about 1,600 public comments, mostly opposed, and almost half called for an outright ban. Council member Soren Stevenson said, "We don't need more computers in our downtown"; Council member Robin Wonsley cited noise, energy use and possible water contamination.

Sources

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Published Thursday, November 12, 2026. Spot an error? Email [email protected]. See our corrections log and standards.