Councilor asks about data centers; DLCD flags utility and land-use implications
Summary
Councilor Richards said she is "pro data center" while DLCD's Patrick Wingard warned cities should consider water, sewer and power impacts and factor those infrastructure needs into comp-plan and zoning decisions.
Councilor Richards raised data centers as a topical concern and said she is generally supportive. "I'm actually pro data center," she said during the work session, adding that the council may want to consider updating codes.
Patrick Wingard responded that data centers raise issues for cities because they may demand significant water, sewer and energy resources and sometimes bring their own energy sources while other times rely on the grid. "They use quite a bit or can use quite a bit of energy," he said, urging planners to consider below-ground and infrastructure implications when evaluating such proposals and to plan mitigation where appropriate.
Wingard's presentation framed data centers as an example of a land-use activity the city should anticipate in comprehensive plan reviews and code updates; no specific data-center project was discussed or decided at the meeting.
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