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Commission begins drafting data-center rules, debates definitions, scale and screening
Summary
At a work session following the public hearing the commission discussed how to define data-center types and scales (edge, enterprise, hyperscale), whether to control by square footage rather than power use, and options for setbacks, screening and architectural standards.
Commissioners and staff spent the work session framing how the city should define and regulate different kinds and scales of data centers, debating whether to control by building square footage, power usage or impact metrics.
"A 50 megawatt data center today in power could do twice as much in five years," a commissioner said, arguing that regulating by electrical capacity becomes stale as technology evolves. Several commissioners suggested dividing regulations by building footprints (small, medium, large, extra large) with different setbacks and buffering requirements. Commissioners also discussed screening for exterior equipment and special architectural requirements for sites that are visible from public streets.
Clayton Ender recommended a research-driven approach—goals, analysis, then policy—and said staff will produce a matrix of scale categories and peer-community examples. He emphasized the commission should avoid drafting rules narrowly targeted only to data centers and instead consider applying standards to any high-impact industrial users where appropriate.
The commission agreed to revisit power (electric utility invited to the next meeting) and to continue refining definitions before drafting code language.
