Council member moves to task staff with data-center policy review amid resident concerns

Council Member McMillan asked the council to direct staff to research policy options for data-center development and to return with a comprehensive set of recommendations. McMillan cited research from the Southern Environmental Law Center showing high electricity and water usage by large data centers, limited permanent local employment, and widespread local policy responses including moratoria in other counties.

She proposed a menu of policy options: require special-use permits for data centers; establish data-center-specific development standards addressing noise, water use, energy-disclosure and setbacks; evaluate a temporary moratorium to allow time for a regulatory framework; and conduct cumulative impact assessments. McMillan said the objective is to ensure data centers locate "on the community's terms." Several council members and staff described planning-commission work already underway and encouraged a staff-led, deliberative process with extensive public input.

The motion to direct staff to research and return with recommendations was moved; the transcript records discussion of the planning commission and staff engagement but does not record a final vote before the meeting recessed for the public forum. Council members and citizens later raised transparency and public-input expectations during the public forum.

Council did not adopt specific data-center regulations during the work session; the item was advanced as a council priority for staff research and public engagement.