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Garden City council adopts six‑month moratorium on data‑center applications to draft zoning rules
Summary
The Garden City Council on April 6 approved a six‑month moratorium on applications for data processing and storage centers to give staff and planners time to draft and consider zoning regulations addressing size, noise, water and power demands; the measure passed unanimously.
Garden City — The City Council voted unanimously April 6 to place a six‑month moratorium on applications for data processing and storage centers while the planning commission and staff draft regulations to address site compatibility and infrastructure impacts.
Planner Mr. Ortega of McKenna told the council that two state laws enacted in 2024 created sales and use tax exemptions for eligible data centers and prompted increased interest from developers. He recommended a temporary pause so the city could write zoning rules that account for the facilities’ large footprints, noise from cooling systems, and high water and electric demands. "This will give the planning commission and council the opportunity to study the issue, draft appropriate regulations, and consider adoption of regulations," Ortega said.
Council members questioned how long drafting and review would take and whether six months would be sufficient. Ortega said starting with a six‑month moratorium is the most commonly defensible legal approach and can be extended if the city shows progress. Council members asked about litigation risk and whether other cities were being sued; Ortega said, to his knowledge, most clients have not been sued but noted at least one lawsuit involving a data center in Sylvan Township.
Members also discussed technical and neighborhood impacts: potential strain on utility systems, proximity to transmission and water mains, and noise from large air‑handling and cooling equipment. Ortega said his firm is consulting with assessors, prospective operators and utility providers as part of drafting possible regulations.
A resident asked how the public will be notified and whether there will be opportunities for public comment on draft regulations; the clerk said zoning amendments will go through the planning commission with a public hearing and notices posted on the city website and in the local newspapers.
The council adopted the moratorium by a 7‑0 vote. The moratorium directs staff and the planning commission to research regulatory approaches and return with draft ordinance language and public‑hearing deadlines.
