The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
City of Park Falls
Anti-Data Center Policies
Park Falls allows data centers only after a Comprehensive Plan amendment, and reports that no designated district currently exists. Development would also face environmental and water-study requirements and decommissioning security, which the Council may reduce or waive.
current law · Land rezoned MDC; none currently existsPark Falls creates the MDC Manufacturing Data Center District through Ordinance 26-013 and adopts Ordinance 26-014 standards covering cryptocurrency mining, blockchain transaction processing, and server farms.City of Park Falls Manufacturing Data Center (MDC) District Zoning Ordinance (2026)
What this means
Restrictive rather than an outright ban: the ordinance lists Manufacturing Data Center as a permitted use, but the city reports no MDC district exists and a Comprehensive Plan amendment is needed first. Strict environmental controls, water-study requirements and decommissioning security, subject to Council reduction or waiver further constrain development.
People behind it
- Park Falls Common Council
Approves Ordinances 26-013 and 26-014 on July 13, 2026.
- Park Falls Plan Commission
Recommends Ordinance 26-014 for approval.
- Tara Tervort
Mayor who calls the July 13 meeting to order.
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- Scott Kluver
City and Zoning Administrator.
- Bryce Schoenborn
City Attorney.
- Dan Greenwood
Moves approval of Ordinance 26-014.
- Dennis Wartgow
Seconds approval of Ordinance 26-014.
- Amy Benedict
Moves amendment for independent expert review.
- Dina Bukachek
Seconds independent-review amendment.
- Sue Walasek
Offers language recommendations at the public hearing.
- Chris Hoffman
Submits testimony read at the public hearing.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements7
Limits data centers to an MDC district; the city reports none exists and says the Comprehensive Plan map must be amended first.
Bars direct access to local residential or residential collector streets.
Requires 500-foot residential separation, area requirements and a 45-foot height limit, and an opaque buffer yard.
Imposes noise, air-quality and lighting controls, including a 60 dBA property-boundary cap.
Requires environmental and community impact analysis seven days before the rezoning hearing, an environmental impact assessment, and permits independent expert review.
Requires a water feasibility study for nonpublic water sources, demonstrating adequacy and no adverse water impacts.
Requires decommissioning security of at least 100 percent of estimated cost unless reduced or waived by the Council.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions2
Lists Manufacturing Data Center as a permitted use, providing a defined zoning path.
Provides space for large and small scale data center development on infill industrial land.
Sources
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