HERMANTOWN — Seating was in unusually short supply at the Hermantown City Hall on Monday night, as councilors took up a rezoning request that could open the door for the construction of a sprawling data center in the rural southwest corner of the community.

Council chambers were filled to capacity, and an engaged crowd exceeding 300 citizens spilled out into overflow spaces where members of the public were able to view a video feed of the meeting and step forward to address councilors in turn when it was their opportunity to speak.

The meeting began at 6:30 p.m. and wrapped up shortly before the clock struck midnight.

Both advocates and opponents of a proposed data center development shared their views before the council unanimously voted to support the requested zoning change of 220 ac

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