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Commission hears staff plan for short‑term cap on large data centers while city studies impacts
Summary
Staff proposed a two‑step approach for data centers: an immediate, narrow cap on large footprints to prevent mega‑facilities while the city studies power, water and land‑use impacts and coordinates with state agencies; small, locally supporting facilities under a threshold would remain allowed.
Staff told commissioners the data center discussion reflects rapid development pressure and the need to protect local land and utility capacity. Paul said the city isn't proposing to ban small server rooms or facilities that support local institutions but recommended a stopgap to prevent large, land‑consuming facilities from locating here before the city can study impacts and coordinate with state regulators and utilities. "What we're proposing to do is to take a 2 step approach to this to, in the short term, put a simple cap on them," he said.
Members discussed thresholds by footprint and service (example thresholds discussed included 5,000 sq ft for small local facilities and 50,000 sq ft and larger for multi‑user operations) and whether zoning alone is sufficient to manage electricity and water demands. Staff said some regulatory tools (power caps, wastewater thresholds) may sit in utilities or wastewater ordinances rather than pure zoning and recommended a follow‑up analysis in the next several months to calibrate any permanent standards.
