Board discusses Westside Form‑Based Code questions and possible moratorium on data centers

City planner Kevin Rayner presented consolidated feedback from the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Community Development Board on proposed Westside Form‑Based Code uses, walking members through a set of guiding questions addressing Accessory Commercial Units (ACUs), marketspaces, microbusiness size limits, parking‑lot lighting and urban gardens.

Rayner said the boards largely advised ACUs be limited to Neighborhood Medium and Neighborhood High streets and that a Special Permit requirement would allow the board to evaluate projects case‑by‑case. Attachment D reflects staff recommendations and the board discussed potential limits on marketspace operating days, allowing community uses for marketspaces, and whether microbusinesses should be capped at about 150 square feet. On data centers, Mr. Rayner said the board had previously mentioned a temporary moratorium and that, if the board wished to pursue it, the matter could be brought back at the next meeting.

Board members raised concerns about enforcement and the limits of city capacity to follow up on complaints; staff noted enforcement is handled by the Zoning Enforcement Officer and permits can be reviewed and revoked by the board or appealed to the Zoning Board of Appeals if necessary. The board did not adopt regulatory language at this meeting but provided direction to staff to incorporate the board’s feedback into the draft.