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Planning Commission recommends ordinance adding data‑center standards to Yukon code after extended public comment
Summary
After extended public comment and debate about water use, generators and nondisclosure agreements, the Planning Commission voted to recommend an ordinance adding a data‑center section to the Unified Development Code; the motion passed 3‑2 on the record.
Aug. 11, 2025 — The Yukon Planning Commission voted to recommend adoption of an ordinance adding a section for data centers to the Yukon Unified Development Code, following a broad public discussion about water use, backup power, nondisclosure agreements and whether the city should require special‑use review instead of permitting by right.
Staff and consultants told the commission the draft ordinance is intended as a development‑standards framework to guide any future data‑center proposals and to give staff and council a basis for review. Danielle Steele, Development Services Director, said data centers commonly use regular and graywater for cooling; she noted the City Council has debated graywater billing and that data‑center applicants would still need to demonstrate water and sewer capacity during permitting.
Multiple residents urged caution. Julius (resident) summarized documented concerns raised in other jurisdictions — high water and energy use, limited long‑term local economic benefit, and risks that public infrastructure and taxpayers absorb long‑term costs if facilities close. “It is a monster, and it is a boogeyman,” he said during public comment. Speakers cited nondisclosure agreements used in other Oklahoma negotiations and asked whether state law (Senate Bill 480 was cited in testimony) or other statutes could affect local authority over generators or rates.
Commissioners discussed whether allowing data centers by right (subject to the ordinance’s standards) provides certainty and allows the city to offer a clear development framework, or whether requiring a special‑use permit would give more discretionary control. Staff said the ordinance is a baseline of standards and that projects would still need permitting, water and power capacity approvals, and any necessary council approvals for infrastructure impacts.
On the roll call for the recommendation to add the data‑center section to Article 3, votes were recorded as: Wright (yes), Geiss (yes), Knuckles (no), Jones (no), Clark (yes). The motion passed and will be forwarded to City Council for final action.
