Consultants propose comp‑plan policies to manage employment land and cluster hyperscale data centers

MIG consultants outlined specific comprehensive-plan amendments and policies tied to the EOA findings and asked PAC members for feedback before the EOA is finalized.

Andrew Parrish described five goals and supporting policies that would be adopted as part of the EOA's comp-plan changes. Key recommendations include managing the UGB to ensure sufficient employment land, working with the Port of Morrow and regional partners, clustering hyperscale data centers "to minimize infrastructure and land needs," and protecting sites brought into the UGB for specific employment uses through annexation agreements, zoning and development agreements.

Parrish said the recommended policies are intended to be incorporated into the comp plan so the city's long-range guidance aligns with the EOA findings and later development-code work. Consultants also urged linking economic policies to workforce development, education partners (Blue Mountain Community College was mentioned) and housing choices to support an expanded labor force.

The consultants emphasized these recommendations would not commit the city to immediate actions but would guide later UGB, zoning, and infrastructure decisions; PAC members were invited to suggest edits and additions to make the policies less narrowly focused on data centers and more inclusive of other target growth sectors.