Overview
- The City Council voted 7-6 on Thursday to pass a compromise ordinance that requires council approval for any new data center in two downtown overlay districts.
- The rules restrict new centers to existing buildings, bar them as a building's primary use and prohibit server rooms on the first two floors.
- Size limits allow up to 150,000 square feet only if the operator buys renewable power and cap non-renewable facilities at 50,000 square feet.
- Owners must disclose expected energy, water and generator use, submit sound‑attenuation and decommissioning plans, and facilities over 50,000 square feet must join an Xcel Energy renewables program.
- About 1,600 public comments and street protests produced mixed reactions, with activists and some planners saying the rules fall short and supporters pointing to adaptive reuse, jobs and interest from Xcel in more downtown projects.