RAEDI opposes proposal for temporary moratorium on data centers in Rochester

ROCHESTER — Rochester Area Economic Development Inc. is opposing a proposed citywide moratorium on new data center development. In a letter to the Rochester City Council and Mayor Kim Norton on Friday, RAEDI President John Wade stated that the organization supports the proposed review of potential impacts and regulatory standards needed to protect Rochester's long-term interests, but the organization doesn’t believe a proposed pause is needed. “We believe this important work can proceed without temporarily restricting potential development opportunities,” Wade wrote. The city’s Community Development staff is proposing a temporary ban on new data centers, which could last up to a year under state law. The proposed moratorium is intended to allow planning staff time to consider possible updates to the city’s Unified Development Code. The code regulates development and land uses throughout the city, but it does not directly address data centers.

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