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Commissioners flag power, water and infrastructure concerns as data‑center interest emerges; ask staff to study options
Summary
Members asked staff to study data‑center impacts, citing large power and water demands and potential noise and generator issues. Commissioners suggested coordinating with the county, utility providers and other cities, and discussed temporary controls or impact fees while policy is developed.
Planning commissioners spent an extended staff‑report period discussing emerging interest in data centers and similar high‑demand uses. Commissioners and staff agreed there is currently no local regulatory framework specific to data centers and flagged multiple infrastructure concerns.
Key issues raised included electrical capacity and the need for redundant feeds, significant water demands for some cooling systems, generator noise and emissions, and the possible need for local definitions and standards. One commissioner relayed a recent industry contact’s comment that the local utility “does not have the capability” to serve a large data center without major upgrades, and another noted the possible need for impact fees or a coordinated study with the county and utilities.
Commissioners asked staff to explore options, including conducting a study, consulting peer cities that have adopted ordinances or moratoria, and identifying whether temporary controls (for example, moratoriums while rules are drafted) would be legally available and advisable. Staff said two inquiries have already been received by the city; no moratorium or ordinance change was adopted at the meeting.
