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Council asks staff for data‑center report after residents raise concerns about Flower Street site
Summary
Following public concerns about a possible conversion of the Flower Street telecom facility to a high‑capacity data center, council directed staff to prepare a report outlining how data centers are defined, permitted, and what utility, water and noise impacts would be expected locally.
Residents at the July 28 meeting urged the City to review whether a telecom facility on Flower Street could convert to a high‑capacity data center and asked for clarity on permitting, utility impacts and public disclosure. Chrissy, a longtime resident, told council the change of ownership at 100 S. Flower "is on track to be converted into a high density inference hub" and said she was concerned about air emissions, electric and water use, and noise from cooling equipment.
Community Development Director Patrick Prescott told the council that the Flower Street facility has historically operated as a telecom and internet infrastructure site and that "no proposal to convert it into a modern high capacity data center has been submitted to the city". Prescott added that staff has received a request for a modest increase in electric capacity and that the city will monitor any formal permit submittals; he offered to return with a staff report if the council wants more information.
Councilmember Rosati and others asked for specific information on what thresholds would trigger discretionary review, whether a conditional use permit would be required, and what the city’s utilities group (BWP) could supply. Council directed staff to prepare a short informational memo within the next few weeks summarizing: (a) what constitutes a data center for planning and utility purposes; (b) typical electricity, water and cooling needs (order‑of‑magnitude); (c) whether the current zoning requires a permit or allows this use by right; and (d) examples of how other cities have regulated similar conversions.
Staff later said some existing local facilities draw relatively small power (example peak 0.75 MW cited for one facility), while hyperscale AI centers require many megawatts and acres. The council asked staff and the Public Information Office to put an explanatory note to the public to calm circulating rumors while the report is prepared.
