Elk River Blocks 33-MW Data Center

Elk River, Minnesota rejected the zoning amendment needed to convert a former industrial building into a proposed 33-megawatt data center, effectively putting the project on track for denial.

The city is also preparing a one-year moratorium while it studies where data centers should be allowed and what standards should apply. The decision highlights how local zoning rules, neighborhood impacts, and permitting requirements are shaping project timelines, while a separate lawsuit in Eagan shows that moratoriums may face legal challenges.