Council approves Arlington–Marysville ILA for Project Cascade after public opposition to data centers

The Arlington City Council voted to approve an interlocal agreement (ILA) with Marysville that sets working parameters for coordination if Project Cascade seeks land-use permits in the future.

The agreement, as presented by city planning staff, does not approve Project Cascade or any building permits, but outlines notification procedures and requirements to monitor water and power usage should a multi-jurisdictional facility cross the two cities’ boundaries. Planning staff told council the final version refined permit names, added a notification section for changes of use and removed a termination clause that had been in the draft.

The vote followed a public comment period in which multiple residents urged the council to block data centers. "If a data center goes in Arlington, all the citizens will be affected," said Celine, who said she has lived in Arlington her entire life and described alleged health and livestock harms she linked to data centers. "Please approve the proposed ban on data centers tonight." Nicole Neguque, an online commenter, also urged a ban, saying the council should "listen to the will of the people." Jay Lindbergh framed broader concerns about artificial intelligence and data centers’ long-term effects.

Mary O'Farrell, another commenter, thanked staff for zoning explanations, asked whether subarea plans could create a loophole that would allow data centers, and flagged recent large warehouse fires as a public-safety concern for very large buildings near residential areas and flight paths.

During council questioning, Councilmember Tim asked whether prior binding site agreements from 2020 and 2022 had vested data-center uses. Planning staff replied that the earlier binding site plan was preliminary, unrecorded and set to expire after five years, and that it did not vest or bind a data center to the site. Staff said any future proposal would have to comply with Arlington’s zoning code and subarea plan criteria, including job-creation requirements where applicable.

Councilmember Ted moved to approve the ILA and authorize the mayor to sign; the motion was seconded and carried.

The ILA explicitly applies to Project Cascade only when a building spans both jurisdictions; staff said that if a future proposal were confined entirely to Arlington, the ILA would be null and void. The council did not take final action on zoning or permits for any individual building as part of this vote.

Next steps: the ILA authorizes interjurisdictional coordination if and when Project Cascade files permit applications; any permit approvals would proceed through the city’s standard land-use and permitting process and be subject to public notice and comment.