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Cortland City Council discusses one-year moratorium on data-center permits after public question
Summary
At its June 1 meeting, the Cortland City Council explained a proposed ordinance that would pause data-center zoning permits for up to one year so planning and zoning can review infrastructure and regulations; the item remains subject to further council consideration.
A member of the public asked the Cortland City Council on June 1 whether the council and city officials supported putting a data center in the city.
The public commenter asked, “Can I get some clarification of what ... is that saying that this council and city officials agree with having a data center put in?” The commenter did not provide a name on the record.
A council member responding during public comment clarified how the ordinance under consideration would work: “No. It is actually putting a moratorium on data centers for up to one year. So it will stop any ... zoning permits or anything regarding data centers for up to one year ... to give our planning and zoning an opportunity to review our zoning regulations because data centers weren't really thought of when our zoning regulations were put in place.” The council member said the pause would allow the city to assess whether it can support data centers’ electrical, water and other infrastructure needs and to identify where they might or might not make sense.
The council member repeatedly emphasized the moratorium is intended to be temporary and to provide “breathing room for a year” for planning and zoning to evaluate rules and infrastructure, not to enact an outright ban. The speaker also warned that other communities that allowed data centers to proceed without updated zoning have faced costly litigation.
The ordinance was described on the record as an item on the council agenda; no final vote on the moratorium was recorded in the transcript excerpt. Council members said they would take up the ordinance for formal consideration at the scheduled agenda item so staff and the planning commission can complete their review.
Why it matters: Data centers can require substantial utility capacity and regulatory review. A one-year moratorium would pause permit approvals while the city evaluates whether its zoning and infrastructure are adequate and whether new rules or conditions are needed.
Next steps: The council indicated the moratorium ordinance remains on the agenda for formal consideration; the public and interested parties may return when that item is heard.
