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Ferndale planners workshop OHM Advisors draft standards for data centers and detention facilities; moratoria set to expire this fall
Summary
The Planning Commission received OHM Advisors’ technical analysis recommending that data centers be defined and limited to industrial districts with special‑use standards and that detention facilities be treated as special land uses with separation distances, security, and operational requirements; staff will draft ordinance language and coordinate with legal before moratoria expire (detention: Sept. 5; data centers: Oct. 13).
At a June 24 workshop the Ferndale Planning Commission heard a technical memo from OHM Advisors recommending ordinance changes to address data centers and detention facilities, and directed staff to work with the consultant and the city attorney to draft standards for special‑use review.
Alex Ritchey of OHM Advisors told the commission Ferndale’s zoning schedule does not currently identify data centers as a distinct use. He recommended adding a definition, limiting large data centers to industrial districts (or requiring special land use approval), and adding performance standards to address utility coordination (energy and water), mechanical screening, generator testing and noise controls, and decommissioning plans. Ritchey said draft language can also enable tiered or scale‑based standards to distinguish small server rooms (typical office or school equipment) from large, utility‑intensive data centers.
Commissioners asked whether the ordinance can require utility caps, closed‑loop cooling, renewable energy, or other sustainability measures. Ritchey recommended requiring disclosure and coordination with utilities and adding enforceable performance metrics while preserving flexibility for technological change. Several commissioners expressed interest in encouraging beneficial reuse of byproduct heat (closed‑loop systems) where feasible.
On detention facilities, OHM recommended creating a clear definition, limiting private detention uses to appropriate industrial districts via special land use, establishing minimum separation distances from schools/parks/daycares/religious facilities, requiring security and operations plans, and requiring traffic and parking studies because detention centers generate distinct vehicle movements. The consultant emphasized the need for objective, defensible standards to withstand legal challenges.
Commissioners and staff discussed practical enforcement and legal defensibility (500–1,000 foot separation distances were discussed as a possible range), how to distinguish police stations and small holding cells from primary detention uses, and whether to require proximity to transit or limit siting in residential areas. A public commenter urged humane minimum standards if detention uses are sited locally (for example, adequate heating and oversight).
Staff reported moratorium end dates (detention centers: Sept. 5, 2026; data centers: Oct. 13, 2026) and outlined the next steps: OHM to draft ordinance language, legal review, ordinance committee review, Planning Commission public hearing on drafts, and then Council consideration. Commissioners agreed staff should target returning draft ordinance language for review at upcoming meetings; if necessary staff will coordinate with Council on possible moratorium extensions while drafting defensible language.
Alex Ritchey and staff will return with draft ordinance text that includes definitions, performance and screening standards, utility coordination requirements, separation distances and decommissioning expectations for Council and Planning Commission review.
