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Consultants: no parcels large enough in Boardman UGB for hyperscale data centers
Summary
The EOA separates data centers from other uses and finds a unique need for very large parcels — consultants said there are currently no remaining sites inside the UGB large enough to host typical hyperscale data center developments (prototypical examples ~125 acres per campus).
Consultants emphasized that data centers are a special case: they are low in employment density but require large contiguous parcels and dedicated substations. Brendan Buckley presented an example from the region and said typical hyperscale projects have required roughly 125 acres per campus plus substation acreage.
Buckley stated plainly: "there's no sites that are large enough to house data centers," and recommended that the city consider options — including UGB expansion, UGB swaps, or identifying large parcels outside the current UGB — if it decides to pursue data center opportunities. He noted developers also demand proximity to infrastructure (electric substations) and that those site requirements are driving much of the identified acreage deficit.
Consultants and staff said the data center component accounts for the majority of the gross acreage need (about 625 acres, roughly 77% of the total gross acreage in the EOA). They advised that code definitions, site standards and location rules be considered in the forthcoming development code update to manage impacts and locate such uses appropriately.
