Eagan Holds Off on Big Tech Buildings for a Year

The Eagan City Council decided to pause any new data center or crypto‑mining projects for a full year. The rule stops construction near homes within 500 feet or if the site would use more than 20 megawatts of power. The pause ends on February 17, 2027 unless the council votes earlier. During this waiting period no new permits will be granted for building, changing or expanding any structure related to these projects. Repairs that are absolutely necessary can still go ahead.The council voted unanimously after a public hearing about the proposed hold. Residents and city officials argued that data centers consume large amounts of electricity and can strain local resources. Some people worry about the environmental impact, while others point out that these facilities could bring jobs and help keep up with growing technology demands. Other towns in Minnesota, like Hermantown and Farmington, have also faced pushback when they tried to build data centers. The state now faces a patchwork of local rules that could make it hard to set statewide standards or conduct consistent studies on the long‑term effects of these large tech hubs.