Local Citizen Group to Hold Public Meeting on Planned Hyperscale Data Center in Farmington, Minnesota
FARMINGTON, MINNESOTA— A local citizen group, Environmental Coalition of Farmington, MN, will host a public informational meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, October 22, at the Farmington Public Library (508 3rd St.) at 7:30 p.m., to address growing concerns about a proposed hyperscale data center being developed by Tract, a data center park developer.
The project, first reported by Finance & Commerce, is being planned as part of the Farmington Technology Park project. Tract has filed with the City of Farmington to build a massive campus in Dakota County. The proposed site could host up to 12 data center buildings and two administrative buildings, covering a total of 2.53 million square feet (235,000 square meters).
The proposed footprint for the Data Center in Farmington, Minnesota. Provided by the City of Farmington.
The land, previously part of Castle Rock Township, was recently annexed into the City of Farmington, making the rezoning process a critical factor in the speed of the project’s approval.
Due to its scale, the proposed location has sparked significant opposition from local residents. The development is slated for land that includes the Fountain Valley Golf Course and adjacent properties and areas surrounded by residential neighborhoods. Many in the community believe the data center would bring about negative impacts, including noise pollution, health concerns, light pollution, and environmental damage. Critics argue that the data center's energy and water demands would strain local utilities and infrastructure. There are also fears about reduced property values and that the project is expected to generate only a few local jobs.
The rezoning efforts and rapid approval process by the Farmington City Council have added to the concerns, as many residents feel there has not been adequate discussion or transparency regarding the long-term effects on the community’s quality of life.
The citizen group invites Farmington residents, city officials, and other interested parties to participate in this important meeting to voice their concerns and gather more information.
For more details about the meeting or to learn more about the proposed project, contact Cathy Peregrino at 952-297-2800 or via email at cathyperegrino@gmail.com.
Written by: Will Wight