Committee advances two-year moratorium on cryptocurrency mining and data centers to full council

The Committee on Community Development voted to send a resolution proposing a two-year moratorium on cryptocurrency mining and large data-processing centers to the full City Council without recommendation, after more than an hour of public comment and member questions.

Supporters said the pause would give the city time to write local rules on siting, noise, water use and community benefits. "So I'm gonna request that this be sent to the full council without recommendation, for next week," said a council member during the meeting, and another member seconded the motion. Committee members then moved to send the item to the full council and adjourn.

Advocates urged the committee to use the moratorium to update the city charter and zoning rules so that large facilities would not be sited next to residences. Committee members said staff will form a working commission during the moratorium to review the charter and zoning and to develop standards for energy, water thresholds, noise limits and setbacks.

The referral does not itself adopt a ban; it transmits the resolution and any accompanying record to the full City Council for action. The full council is scheduled to consider the resolution in the coming week, according to committee remarks.