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Sparks directs staff to draft data-centers zoning rules after public concern over energy, water and community impacts
Summary
After extensive public comment, the Sparks City Council voted unanimously to direct the city manager to draft amendments to Title 20 of the Sparks Municipal Code to change where data centers are permitted and add development standards for noise, lighting, water use and buffers.
Sparks City Council unanimously directed the city manager Sept. 22 to draft amendments to Title 20 to modify where data centers are permitted and to develop associated development standards and definitions for data centers.
City planner Sienna Reed told the council that Northern Nevada’s appeal to data-center operators — low natural-disaster risk, cool nights and available land — has left Sparks’ zoning allowing data centers by right in three districts, meaning some proposals can proceed after a 30-day administrative review without a public hearing. Reed said staff will evaluate zoning districts, conditional-use permitting options and development standards including noise, lighting, water use, and residential adjacency.
Public comment was lengthy and largely cautious. Resident Richard Bissett cited NV Energy’s 2024 integrated-resource plan and said data-center power requests “could require up to 5,900 megawatts of capacity additions,” warning that infrastructure costs could shift to ratepayers. Trey Abney, speaking for NAIOP Northern Nevada, urged a regional approach and noted that utility interconnection and rate rules fall under the Public Utilities Commission. Olivia Tanager of the Sierra Club Toiyabe chapter said the group is not “anti–data center” but urged Sparks to adopt local standards on water use and other impacts so the city attracts higher-quality projects.
Councilmembers pressed staff on options including moratoria and development agreements. Reed told the council the zoning code cannot control utility rate-setting, which is under the PUC’s jurisdiction. Councilmember Vanderwell moved to direct the city manager to draft proposed Title 20 amendments; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
Next steps: staff will draft ordinance language and coordinate with regional partners, including the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency and utility stakeholders; the council discussed placing a moratorium on permits as a separate agenda item for future consideration.
