Workgroup backs upfront Letter-of-Intent checks for data-center proposals

Staff member led the meeting through proposed changes to a draft ordinance that would require an upfront Letter of Intent (LOI) from any prospective data-center developer. The LOI would include applicant contact information, a map showing parcels and zoning, a statement of municipal water connection and an LOA or similar confirmation from the local water utility that the site can meet peak and emergency cooling demands. "That's probably the biggest and that they've got an LOA from the water utility," the staff member said when describing the checklist requirement.

The rationale was procedural efficiency: committee members agreed that verifying basic infrastructure early would stop projects that clearly cannot be supported before lengthy technical and APC reviews. "If it's approved, then they're authorized to submit to Paul an application. If it's rejected, it's pretty much done in its current state," the staff member said. The group planned to advertise the revised draft for a public hearing in September and to send a revised version to commissioners afterward for the statutory review period.