CAC hears why county limited data centers and the leverage proffers can create

Committee members asked whether conversations with potential developers could include requests for community benefits such as pedestrian crossings. Supervisors said explicit bargaining for infrastructure is constrained by state law and county policy.

The chair asked if it would be appropriate to discuss a desired community amenity — specifically a pedestrian river crossing — during negotiations with a developer proposing a data center. Speaker 4 replied such explicit quid pro quo cannot be stated, but proffers and special‑use processes provide leverage when developers seek permission above by‑right thresholds.

“Right now the policy allows in industrial zones up to 40,000 square feet by right, and then after that it needs a special‑use permit,” Speaker 7 said. He added that some board members had sought a much lower by‑right threshold (one had preferred 5,000 sq ft) to increase leverage for proffers.

Speaker 7 noted that the Paul Manning Institute’s 35,000‑square‑foot data center was installed by right and generated no payments to the county, limiting the county’s bargaining position in that instance.

Staff told the CAC that the data center policy discussion had been tabled by the board after staff recommendations failed to gain consensus; as a result, no new county policy was adopted at the meeting.

The discussion underscored tensions between county business recruitment and community expectations for infrastructure contributions when large industrial or campus‑style developments are proposed.