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Lonsdale adopts one-year moratorium on data centers to study impacts
Summary
The council unanimously adopted Interim Ordinance 2026-342, placing a one-year moratorium on locating, establishing or operating data centers in Lonsdale while the city gathers data and crafts legally defensible long-term regulations and definitions.
The Lonsdale City Council voted 5-0 on April 30 to adopt Interim Ordinance 2026-342, imposing a one-year moratorium on the location, establishment and operation of data centers in the city.
Community Development Planner Cory Hinz-Ibarra said the Planning Commission recommended the interim ordinance and the City Attorney advised a one-year moratorium rather than an immediate permanent ban to reduce the risk of legal claims such as regulatory taking or inverse condemnation. The moratorium includes a working definition of “data center” and is intended to give staff time to gather evidence and craft regulations that would withstand legal challenge.
Council discussion focused on the distinction between large hyperscale data centers and smaller on-site computing operations. Councilmember Brian Wermerskirchen cautioned that overly broad language could unintentionally restrict businesses that host on-site computing infrastructure for operational needs. Mayor Tom Berg said the city's "water and wastewater infrastructure capacity" and the City's commitment to protecting those services make Lonsdale "an attractive but vulnerable target for large data center development." Councilmember James Vosejpka noted other cities and at least one state are pursuing similar moratoria.
The motion to approve Ordinance 2026-342 was made by James Vosejpka and seconded by Brian Wermerskirchen; the vote was 5-0. The moratorium is effective immediately to allow staff time to develop findings and draft any permanent zoning changes.
