Hermiston council adopts findings to expand urban growth boundary for hyperscale data centers; second readings delayed

HERMISTON, Ore. — The Hermiston City Council on Aug. 25 adopted findings backing an 810‑acre expansion of the city’s urban growth boundary to accommodate large “hyperscale” data center campuses and associated code changes, but postponed final ordinance action because the second‑reading rule requires unanimity.

City Planning Director Clint Spencer opened the hearing, telling the council the package would amend the comprehensive plan and code and would be appealable under state land‑use law.

The package implements a 2024 economic‑opportunities analysis that identified demand for large industrial parcels for data centers. “There was a need for over 1,200 acres of land for data center development,” Jesse Winterrude of Winterbrook Planning told the council, describing site‑selection criteria that included contiguous tracts of at least 100 acres, buffers from residences and avoidance of constrained lands.

Why it matters: staff and consultants said the expansion is intended to meet a specific, identified industrial need — especially for 100‑acre‑plus sites — while minimizing conflicts with farms and residences. The proposed area south of Feedville Road was chosen because it is surrounded by rural industrial uses and rail…