Council opens final hearing on one‑year moratorium for data centers, staff outlines work plan

The Spokane City Council held a final hearing July 29 on ordinance c36887, which places an immediate one‑year moratorium on processing applications to establish or expand data centers inside city limits. Adam McDaniel of the mayor's office summarized the city’s near‑term plan: task the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Board (CRSB) and the Planning Commission with workshops, conduct impact reviews focused on water and wastewater constraints, noise mitigation and decommissioning of stranded assets, and define policy options for council consideration.

McDaniel described a cross‑divisional internal work group (public works, water, integrated capital management, transportation and sustainability, planning and economic development) and said workshops would begin in August, with the moratorium currently set to expire on 06/22/2027 unless council or staff take action sooner.

Public testimony reflected deep community divisions. Spokane Riverkeeper and other environmental speakers raised water‑use and noise pollution concerns and urged the council to "lean into the science." One speaker cited Chandler, Arizona's experience with noise impacts as a cautionary case. By contrast, local electricians and union representatives (IBW Local 73) emphasized the construction and apprenticeship jobs data centers bring and urged the city to design a process that allows responsible development rather than a permanent ban.

Councilmembers asked staff how external stakeholders (labor, utilities such as Avista, economic development, health experts) would be engaged; staff replied that both CRSB and Planning Commission processes will engage external parties and that the city intends to present policy recommendations for council consideration. Council also discussed whether the moratorium could affect a federally funded tech hub and whether an overlay zone might be appropriate to balance regional investments and local impacts.

Council closed testimony on the hearing by voice vote and signaled next steps: a set of public workshops, further analysis of definitions and regulatory authority, and opportunities for councilmember participation on the internal work group.