Sparta aldermen approve resolution and 180-day moratorium to study data center development

The Sparta Board of Aldermen voted to adopt Resolution 26-626 and approved a 180-day moratorium on new data-center development on first reading, signaling the city's intent to study potential infrastructure, water and power impacts before permitting new facilities.

Todd (staff member) explained the rationale for the actions: "If y'all know what data centers are, they're, you know, everything that's on your cloud is in a data center and they take a lot of infrastructure and they take a lot of electricity and they take a lot of water," he said, describing the resource demands the board cited as a concern. The resolution asks the Sparta Municipal Planning Commission to review proposed zoning regulations and development standards and returns the issue to the board after that review.

During discussion the board referenced a recent data-center proposal in nearby McMinnville as a catalyst for the city's action. Alderman Jones voted against the resolution; Aldermen Floyd, McBride, Payne and Young and Vice Mayor Officer voted in favor during the roll call on the resolution, and the motion carried. The board then approved Ordinance 26-1003 on first reading, establishing a 180-day temporary moratorium while staff and the planning commission develop draft zoning and standards for council consideration.

The actions do not ban data centers permanently; rather, the moratorium pauses new permitting for the stated period while the city evaluates local infrastructure capacity, zoning placement and possible environmental effects. The planning commission review and any draft regulations will return to the board for further action.

Next steps: staff will forward proposed zoning language and standards to the Sparta Municipal Planning Commission for review as requested in Resolution 26-626, with the moratorium in place to allow study and possible ordinance changes before new permits are issued.