Milford adopts 180‑day moratorium on data‑center and related development

The Milford City Council voted unanimously on June 16 to adopt Ordinance 4‑2026, a 180‑day temporary land‑use moratorium on data centers, data‑center power plants and solar energy facilities within city limits.

Council members said the pause will give staff and planning and zoning time to study the potential impacts of those uses on municipal water supply, source protection areas, electrical infrastructure and other public services. "Because of these potential impacts, it's important that the city take adequate time to research these types of uses and determine if, where, and under what conditions they may be appropriate," the Chair stated while introducing the ordinance.

The moratorium was recommended by the planning commission and was presented as a 180‑day temporary regulation to allow preparation of proposed land‑use standards. The council motion to adopt Ordinance 4‑2026 carried on a roll‑call vote recorded in the meeting minutes as unanimous (Russell, Ian, Scott, Lassen, and Tayson all voting yes).

What happens next: Staff and planning and zoning will research best practices and draft regulatory language to address siting, infrastructure requirements and environmental protections. The ordinance pauses new applications of the covered uses while that work proceeds; it does not alter existing uses that are already permitted or vested under current approvals.

Procedural note: The ordinance was adopted as a temporary land‑use regulation; the council and planning commission may later propose and adopt permanent standards or amendments following public hearings.