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Council advances data-center ordinance: caps large centers, requires buffers, annual monitoring
Summary
Council approved first reading of a draft ordinance to regulate data centers by power class, require conditional-use review for larger facilities, set residential buffers, require annual monitoring of noise/power/water and include decommissioning plans; planning commission recommended several edits later incorporated by staff.
City staff brought forward a draft ordinance developed after a January moratorium. The ordinance defines data centers by energy use (megawatt classes), limits the largest projects by zoning (a policy cap referenced at 20 megawatts), and restricts certain types of intensive cooling and water-consumptive facilities. It would require conditional-use review for many data center classes, prescribe setbacks (ranging up to 1,000 feet for larger facilities) and a planted buffer (100 feet in some cases), require annual submittal of noise surveys and power/water use documentation tied to business-license filings, and require decommissioning/repurposing plans.
Planning Commission suggested edits (call the categories "class" rather than "tier," strengthen planting/buffer standards, clarify property-line measurement, and annual compliance checks). Staff incorporated many recommendations and stressed that the ordinance exempts small on-site server closets and hospitals and seeks to avoid hyperscaler-scale facilities on sensitive city parcels. Public commenters included environmental advocates urging strict water and noise safeguards and industry voices urging clear definitions. Council voted to advance the ordinance as amended at first reading and directed staff to refine technical noise metrics and buffer planting standards
