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Buena Vista adopts temporary moratorium on data centers to study local impacts
Summary
Trustees adopted Ordinance 13, 2026 to impose a time‑limited moratorium on data center land‑use applications while staff and planning review potential impacts such as water use, energy demand and visual/noise effects.
The Board approved Ordinance 13, 2026, placing a temporary moratorium on data center applications while the town evaluates whether and how to regulate the use.
Brian explained that data centers are not specifically listed in the current land‑use code, so planning must currently map proposed facilities to the closest permitted use (likely industrial/utility). The moratorium pauses new applications while staff and planning prepare "guardrails" to address water consumption, energy demand, noise and visual impacts.
Nut graf: By pausing new approvals the town aims to avoid ad‑hoc permitting that could leave gaps on water, energy and compatibility impacts; the ordinance gives staff time to develop code language and siting criteria.
Trustees moved and approved the ordinance; staff noted planning commission had already begun discussions and the moratorium allows completion of a policy review without immediate new projects being processed.
Ending: Ordinance 13 was adopted and staff will return with proposed code language or permitting criteria for future board consideration.
