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Council Member Johnston’s late-filed data-center moratorium wins first reading after procedural debate
Summary
The Rules, Confirmations & Public Elections Committee approved on first reading a late-filed ordinance from Council Member Johnston proposing a moratorium on new data centers after members discussed filing deadlines and public-notice timing. The vote was 5-0.
Council Member Johnston urged the Rules, Confirmations & Public Elections Committee to take up a late-filed ordinance imposing a moratorium on new data centers, saying the measure needed immediate handling to preserve the public-hearing schedule.
"The late-filed nature of it — timing is of the essence," Council Member Johnston said, adding that "zoning legislation like the one that this moratorium deals with requires a 21-day notice for a public hearing." Johnston asked that the ordinance receive first reading at the committee’s June 9 meeting so a July public hearing could proceed on schedule.
A director for the clerk’s office explained the practical timing constraints for public notice, saying that the office typically sends notice a few days in advance and that, if the ordinance were considered only at the next Tuesday meeting, it would not be eligible for placement on the July public hearing and would instead be deferred to August. "So, if something were to pass next Tuesday, it would... not be eligible to be put on to the July public hearing. It would have to go to August," the director said.
Council Member Prep questioned why the item was not timely filed for this meeting, noting the body had recently considered a similar matter. Participants responded that the filing deadline for the special meeting had already passed when the request was made.
Committee members also discussed whether the rule governing filing windows for special-called meetings should be revised. Interim Director Wilson said this was the first request to review that rule and that staff would be willing to consider changes.
A motion to place the late-filed ordinance by Council Member Johnston on the agenda for first reading was moved and seconded (exact mover and seconder not specified in the transcript). The committee voted five in favor, zero opposed, and zero not voting, approving the ordinance for first reading and preserving the timetable for a July public hearing.
There were no public comments on the item. The committee concluded its business and returned/adjourned.
