Otsego council imposes one-year moratorium and study on data center development

The Otsego City Council on July 27 adopted Ordinance 2026-11, imposing a one-year moratorium on data center land uses and directing staff to complete a study of official controls before any ordinances are changed. City Planner Dan Licht presented the staff report and described the study process; the ordinance passed 5-0 after a public hearing.

Residents who spoke during the hearing urged the council to pause new data center approvals while the city evaluates potential impacts. Mary Barthelemy, a resident who testified, joined two other neighbors in supporting the moratorium. City Planner Dan Licht told the council that "the moratorium will expire in one year or once the study has been completed and an ordinance has been adopted." Councilmembers cited concerns about water consumption, noise, setbacks and public safety as reasons to authorize the pause and study before adopting long-term rules.

The council’s action creates a one-year window in which staff will research technical impacts and draft recommended ordinance language. No changes to existing permits were announced; the ordinance authorizes a study and temporary suspension of new approvals for data center uses until the study and any new ordinance are complete.