Aurora staff proposes 180-day moratorium on data centers and warehouses to study noise, energy and environmental impacts

City staff presented a proposal to the Aurora City Council on Sept. 23 to impose a 180‑day moratorium on new data center and warehouse approvals so the city can study community and environmental impacts and craft new regulations. The presentation was given by John Curley, chief development services officer, and Lisonbee Lindberg, director of sustainability.

Why it matters: Residents have filed complaints about ongoing noise and generator testing at existing facilities, and staff said rapid increases in data center interest require updated zoning and operational rules. Staff and several aldermen said the moratorium period would give the city time to research best practices used elsewhere and draft regulations that address noise, traffic, energy demand, water use and air quality.

Staff outlined the issue and the proposed moratorium during the mayor's report. “We are seeing an increased number of data centers and warehouse development requests,” Lindberg said in presenting the item. Under current Aurora zoning, staff said, data centers are treated as a subtype of “warehouse distribution and storage service facility” and are permitted in a…