A controversial proposed data center in northeast Minnesota received a key approval Monday evening, when the Hermantown City Council voted for a zoning change that allows the massive development to continue to move forward.

The 4-0 vote to rezone the property about eight miles west of Duluth came after a marathon meeting that lasted nearly six hours and ended just before midnight. More than 50 residents of Hermantown and nearby communities addressed the council, most pleading with council members to reject the zoning change, or at least table it.

But after nearly four hours of public testimony, the council unanimously backed the change after fewer than five minutes of discussion. “We’re only approving the zoning change tonight. We’re not voting on the data center, although it affects the

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