Norton City Council voted Dec. 1 to adopt Ordinance 108-2025, a 180‑day moratorium on the receipt, processing and approval of zoning certificates for data-processing and hosting facilities described in the ordinance as “NAICS 5.8 data processing, hosting, and related services.” The moratorium runs 180 days from the mayor’s signature and is intended to give city planners time to examine whether zoning regulations need revision.

Council members debated the measure before the vote. Supporters said the temporary halt will allow zoning and planning staff to study data‑center proposals and craft appropriate code language. Opponents cautioned that moratoriums can deter business investment if perceived as permanent; one council member said they would support the limited, temporary moratorium only for that reason.

City staff noted at the meeting that a preliminary site plan approval exists for a project but no final site-plan approval has been obtained, and that title to a nearby mine is due to transfer to the city on Dec. 31 — a development staff said would affect the feasibility of any project unless further council action occurs. The moratorium does not affect applications already submitted and actively before planning and zoning.

The ordinance passed on roll call with affirmative votes recorded by the clerk. No council member voted against the measure during the recorded roll call.

Next steps: the moratorium gives staff and council up to 180 days to review zoning language, consult stakeholders and, if needed, draft permanent code changes or lift the moratorium if a pending proposal should proceed.