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Spokane council advances moratorium/work plan targeting data centers after heated debate
Summary
Councilors voted to add and adopt an amendment creating a moratorium/work plan focused on data centers, prompting debate over whether singling out data centers could harm the regional tech hub and whether regulations should instead target broader high-usage industrial users.
The Spokane City Council on June 22 adopted an amendment that places a temporary moratorium and launches a work plan aimed at regulating data centers and other high-use facilities, after a lengthy debate among council members over scope and potential economic consequences.
The amendment — introduced as a Zappone amendment in the meeting packet (spelling in the transcript varies) — was defended by supporters who identified water and energy usage and noise as the primary concerns. Council member Zappone said water usage research ‘‘seems to be… one of the most important issues’’ and urged moving forward with a short-term moratorium and a work plan to develop enforceable standards.
Council member Cathcart opposed singling out data centers and warned the restriction could jeopardize the regional tech hub. Cathcart read a statement attributed to Mayor Brown criticizing the federal decision to rescind tech hub funding and argued the council must not act in ways that could stall the hub’s progress. ‘‘Perception becomes reality, and if that perception is that that tech hub cannot move forward, it very well may stall out,’’ Cathcart said.
Other council members expressed a mix of caution and support. Council member Klitschke and Council member Teles said they supported a short moratorium to buy time for better technical analysis; Council member Dixon said the measure ‘‘allows for more time’’ to answer technical questions. Council members also asked staff to invite the tech hub consortium to a briefing so members can ask questions about financing and operations.
Council members voted to suspend the rules and add the amendment to the agenda for final consideration that evening; the amendment was added and will bring the moratorium/work plan forward for additional vetting and public hearing. Council member Cathcart also requested that code and planning staff explain at the upcoming hearing how enforcement would work, particularly how the city would differentiate energy or power usage within a facility.
The action does not yet adopt permanent regulations; it establishes a temporary pause and a structured process to study water, energy and land-use implications and return with recommendations. Next steps include a staff briefing and a public hearing, and the council noted the moratorium can be amended before a final ordinance is adopted.
