Rosemount Residents Are Asking: Can We Slow Down on the Second Data Center?

TLDR

• Meta (Facebook) purchased land north of County Road 42 in Rosemount throughout 2025 — land that appears earmarked for a second data center.
• No formal development application has been submitted yet.
• Three residents showed up to the March 3 council meeting asking the city to pause — referencing Eagan's data center moratorium passed February 17, 2026.
• The city's $100,000 escrow agreement with Meta's LLC (to fund an initial impact study) was already approved via consent agenda in December 2025.
• Council took no action Tuesday — but the issue is on everyone's radar.

The Meta data center going up on the south side of County Road 42 is already hard to miss. It's 715,000 square feet and $800 million, and it's not even open yet — that's expected by late 2026.

But at Tuesday's Rosemount City Council meeting, several residents showed up with a different question: what about the second one?

What's on the Table (Even Without a Formal Application)

A company called Jimnist LLC purchased several parcels of land north of County Road 42 — between Audrey and Blaine Avenue, sitting between St. John's Lutheran Church and the Talamore and Greystone neighborhoods — throughout 2025. Jimnist LLC is owned by Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram.

In December 2025, a $100,000 escrow agreement between the city and Jimnist LLC was approved via the consent agenda. That money funded an initial water system impact study by engineering firm Short Elliott Hendrickson (SEH), looking at what a second data center would do to Rosemount's water infrastructure.

No rezoning application. No site plan. No formal proposal — yet. But the land is bought, the study is underway, and the direction is clear.

What Residents Are Asking For

Resident Jeremie came prepared with a written statement. His specific ask: exercise the "no obligation clause" in the escrow agreement, return the unspent balance, and notify Meta that the city won't entertain rezoning or approving those parcels for data center use — at least not yet.

His argument: why use simulated, projected data to study the impact of a second data center when you'll have a real, operational one coming online in late 2026? Wait for actual numbers from the first facility — on water use, utility rates, noise, light pollution — before deciding if a second is a good idea.

Two other residents echoed the same point and referenced Eagan's unanimous vote on February 17, 2026, to enact a one-year moratorium on new large data centers. That vote made Eagan the first Minnesota city to pass such a moratorium, targeting any new facility using more than 20 megawatts of electricity or within 500 feet of homes.

The connection to Rosemount's water quality situation is hard to ignore. With Well #8 already testing above state limits for gross alpha radiation, the idea of adding a facility that could use millions of gallons of water per year gives residents pause. Minnesota Public Radio and other outlets have reported that a single large data center can use as much water as thousands of homes.

Where the Council Stands

The council didn't take action Tuesday and couldn't — there's nothing officially in front of them. No application, no rezoning request, no formal proposal to vote on.

City staff noted that a potential second data center is part of what community development is watching, and that if an application comes in, it'll go through the full public process — planning commission, public hearings, council votes.

The city administrator encouraged residents to call or email staff rather than waiting for council meetings. You can reach them at citycouncil@rosemountmn.gov or call community development at 651-322-2022.

The Bottom Line

This one is worth staying tuned to. No application has been filed — but the land is bought, the escrow study is underway, and residents are already organized. If Meta does formally apply for a rezoning or development approval on those parcels, there will be public hearings and opportunities for comment.

For context on what data centers can mean for a community's water supply, the Star Tribune's coverage of Eagan's moratorium and MPR News's reporting on Minnesota data center water use are both worth reading. Keep an eye on upcoming council agendas at rosemountmn.gov.

FAQ

Who owns the land north of County Road 42?

Jimnist LLC, which is owned by Meta (Facebook/Instagram). They purchased the parcels throughout 2025.

Has a second data center been approved?

No. No application has been submitted. The $100,000 escrow agreement funded a preliminary water impact study — not a development approval.

What did Eagan do that residents want Rosemount to copy?

On February 17, 2026, Eagan unanimously voted to enact a one-year moratorium on new large data centers — those using more than 20 megawatts or within 500 feet of homes. Believed to be the first such moratorium in Minnesota.

Do data centers really use that much water?

Yes — large facilities can use millions of gallons per year for cooling. How much depends heavily on the cooling technology used. This is one of the key concerns given Rosemount's current well issues.

What can I do if I'm concerned?

Email citycouncil@rosemountmn.gov, call 651-322-2022, or show up to speak at a future council meeting. Next one: March 17 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.