Data Center Land Development Code Amendment (Z-26-01)
At a glance
- What: Staff proposed a Land Development Code text amendment for data centers: separate definitions for primary and accessory data centers (accessory allowed by right if no more than 10% of a building, serving only the on-site user); primary data centers only in light and general industrial districts through a special use permit that ends at the Planning Commission (appealable to Council), with no deviations through planned area development; setbacks of 400 feet from all property lines and 650 feet next to residential; 55-foot height cap; one parking space per 6,000 square feet; 35-foot street, 100-foot side/rear and 200-foot residential-adjacent landscape setbacks; noise study; shielded lighting; annual fire inspections, battery decommissioning plans and a fire command center; notice to owners within 800 feet and HOAs within 1,000 feet; a utility letter of commitment; no potable water for primary data centers (reclaimed only), no open-loop evaporative cooling, a separate cooling water meter and compliance with the 2019 sustainable water allocation policy.
- Staff view: The code is proactive (no data center has applied in about five years) and more restrictive than most nearby cities; the Planning Commission recommended approval. Economic development said data centers bring construction and utility tax but few jobs.
- Council debate: Several members wanted more time to address Chamber of Commerce concerns about smaller accessory and standalone data centers, potable water for them, and to bring in an outside expert (one member cited national security and quantum computing implications). Others, including one who raised heat-plume and lithium battery fire concerns, said to adopt it now and amend later, since amendments take about six months. Public speakers opposed more data centers over noise and water.
- Outcome: Continued to December 15, 2026 by a 6-1 vote (Councilmember Buckland opposed), with direction to staff to work with the Chamber on accessory and smaller data centers, floor plan options, and potable versus non-potable water use.
Based on auto-generated captions of the video; names and numbers may be misheard.
Sources
Log
- 2026-10-20 - Town Council Regular Meeting - Public hearing; continued to December 15 on a 6-1 vote.