Planning Commission recommends 18-month moratorium on data centers for Board consideration

The Planning Commission voted unanimously to send a recommendation to the Board of Mayor & Aldermen that the City adopt an 18-month ordinance imposing a moratorium on development of data centers and high-density computing facilities. Development Director Corey Divel said staff reviewed the City’s prior use of moratoriums and relayed legal advice that the moratorium should be adopted by ordinance and recommended by the Planning Commission given its land-use implications.

Commissioners flagged potential impacts including electrical demand, water usage, noise and visual disturbance, and infrastructure capacity and discussed consulting legal counsel to ensure the ordinance is legally defensible. Wayne Helton moved to recommend the moratorium and Shane Patterson seconded; the motion passed unanimously and the recommendation was certified to the Board of Mayor & Aldermen.