Data center ordinance draft reviewed; resident raises concerns about cooling, noise and proximity

The Planning Commission reviewed a draft Data Center Ordinance from the meeting packet and scheduled a public hearing for June 14, 2026. Manager Manley gave the overview of the draft but did not provide final ordinance language at the June 9 meeting.

Resident Mike Holcomb told the commission he had submitted written comments on the Data Center draft and asked the planning body to review the materials prior to an upcoming public hearing; he raised specific concerns about micro data centers and potential impacts on nearby homes, citing cooling systems, cooling towers, chemical treatment of cooling water, noise generation and proximity to residential areas. Holcomb asked that the Planning Commission review submitted materials in advance of further hearings.

The public record on June 9 also included discussion about related state legislation that may affect zoning authority: residents asked whether a proposed moratorium applied broadly to zoning or specifically to data centers. Manager Manley said she was still reviewing House bills she had received and would provide additional information; another resident, Gina Holcomb, said she believed Senator Runestad had introduced a one‑year moratorium limited to data centers. The transcript records differing understandings; the commission did not adopt any formal position on state legislation at the meeting.

No formal vote on the ordinance occurred at the June 9 meeting; the commission has scheduled a public hearing for June 14 and will accept public comment and written submissions as part of the ordinance review process.