Council votes to place temporary moratorium on new data‑center applications

Planning and zoning staff told the council they were recommending a temporary moratorium on new data‑center zoning applications to give staff time to gather research on issues such as setbacks, noise, vibration and drainage. "A temporary moratorium would give staff additional time to go out and do some studies and some research," one staff speaker said, adding that the measure would not apply to applications already in process.

Council members discussed legal risk if setbacks exceed what courts might uphold, recent litigation elsewhere and whether to adopt planning and zoning’s recommendation or a moratorium (several members said adopting both would be redundant). Members debated six vs. 12 months; several supported a 12‑month moratorium to allow more comprehensive study. The motion to implement a temporary moratorium was called and roll‑call responses were recorded in the transcript as affirmative; the chair announced the motion passed.