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Council directs staff to identify tax and industrial-hygiene consultants amid data-center moratorium
Summary
In response to questions about potential data centers, the council asked the city administrator to present options to retain a tax/assessment consultant and an industrial hygienist to evaluate tax impacts and environmental/operational factors before any future zoning changes or proposals.
Citing the council’s ongoing moratorium and the need to gather technical expertise before revising zoning language, council members voted to direct City Administrator Witherspoon to return with options to contract a tax/assessment consultant and an industrial hygienist for M2 zoning and any locations where data centers might be permitted. The motion was described as broad and non-project-specific; legal counsel emphasized the request must not address any particular parcel or pending application.
Supporters said a tax consultant would help the city evaluate tax and fiscal impacts of large industrial developments, while an industrial hygienist could assess environmental and operational factors such as noise, heat, and water use that are relevant to data-center operations and zoning language. The motion passed by council majority and staff will bring back candidate scopes and cost estimates for council consideration.
