Public raises concerns as data-center zoning amendments are tabled

Multiple public commenters — including Tom Coin Manuka and Rick Little — urged council to scrutinize data-center buildouts and potential ties to police surveillance and AI-driven camera systems. Manuka said the city should not approve construction or contract work that expands data-center capacity until the city determines how such facilities would be used and whether buildouts would support AI surveillance.

"Police work and watching the cameras are one thing, but Axon, Flock, all of them are moving to AI operations... You can't say that data centers are horrible when you plan to build it next door," Manuka said, urging council to use its authority to halt buildouts and require transparency around advisory committees that shape these decisions.

On the council agenda, two zoning-ordinance amendments related to data centers (8A and 8B) were placed on the docket but were tabled until a public hearing could be held and further information obtained. Council did not adopt a final zoning change at this meeting; the items will return for additional input.