Page residents press for stronger enforcement, inspections and decommissioning rules for potential data centers

Public commenters described past experience with unresolved lighting complaints and asked how the city would ensure compliance if a large data center violated noise, lighting or water regulations. "We can build all these really robust rules, but once they're approved, if nothing happens when people complain, who's going to hold them accountable?" one resident asked.

Staff and the city attorney said enforcement depends on the code section violated and ranges from code‑complaint processes to contractual remedies including breach‑of‑contract litigation for development agreements. Staff said they can require applicants to fund third‑party reviews and that development agreements could include exactions such as funding for inspection staff or new equipment if legally justified and proportional. The overlay also requires a decommissioning and electronic‑waste plan and a proposal for site repurposing as part of an application.

The commission agreed to consider whether language on liquidated damages, proactive inspections, and developer‑funded monitoring positions should be added or handled through development agreements.