Council previews zoning rewrite and signals preference for special‑use permits for data centers

Mayor opened a council conversation about data centers after noting nearby communities had recently debated restrictions. Planning staff said the city is updating its zoning ordinance and that the draft addresses data centers, proposing to place them in industrial districts with limitations or to require a special‑use permit so council can impose case‑by‑case conditions.

"Right now there is a proposal to allow it in the industrial district," planning staff said, adding the city has very limited industrially zoned land and that Meadow Park is zoned low‑density residential so would require full rezoning for nonresidential uses. Council members discussed the risk of litigation from outright bans, the benefit of an SUP process to add scrutiny, and potential intercity dialogue with neighboring jurisdictions.

Staff said the draft zoning provisions would come to Planning and Zoning Commission in October or November and return to council in December or January; council signaled support for a regulatory approach that uses an SUP plus district restrictions rather than an outright ban.