Council delays action on proposed data center moratorium, sends item to work session

Councilmember Atkins introduced a proposed moratorium on data centers at the Jan. 5 meeting, prompting a procedural discussion about council rules. City Attorney advised that agenda items generally require review in work session (Rule 15) and that, to take action tonight, the council would need to move to waive that rule and to consider the ordinance’s first reading.

Several council members—while expressing concern about potential rapid development—favored sending the moratorium ordinance to the work session for full review rather than acting immediately. "If a data center were to come in or buy property, it already fits the zoning… we would learn far too late," Councilmember Ziegler said, urging urgency to protect neighborhoods; other members noted that zoning and special use permits trigger public process. Atkins withdrew his motion for discussion to allow the ordinance and related material to be reviewed at the next work session.

The council did not take final action on a moratorium during the public meeting; the item was recorded as pending and will be considered at the scheduled work session so members can review the draft ordinance, hear staff and legal advice and consider the procedural waiver if warranted.