Data center permit moratorium (1246-2026)
At a glance
Based on auto-generated captions; names and details may be misheard and outcomes incomplete.
- What: Ordinance 1246-2026 (Councilmembers Kazy and Slife) extends the moratorium on use, building, zoning and other permits for data centers.
- Where it stands: passed on 2026-10-19 on an 11-1 vote under suspended rules. The extension runs to the earlier of new data center regulations taking effect or January 29, 2027.
- Next: the moratorium ends at the earlier of the two dates above.
Vote and discussion
- Passed 11-1 on 2026-10-19.
- Councilwoman Howse-Jones asked what happens to a company whose application was already pending before the moratorium.
- Brian Kazy answered that the moratorium stands and nothing will move on any pending or new applications for the next 90 days.
- A resident had signed up to speak about hyperscale data centers but was not present.
First reading, 2026-10-12
- Read by the clerk and referred to committee with no debate.
- During public comment a resident named Councilmember Slife's moratorium request and community meetings on data centers as the one example of real transparency she had seen.
Sources
Discussion time
About 3 minutes across 2 meetings (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-19 - City Council | 2 |
| 2026-10-12 - City Council | 1 |
Log
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2026-10-19 - Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee - Sponsors said more time is needed to draft zoning rules. Staff said about two dozen data centers operate in the city and one other permit is pending, reviewed under the rules in place when filed. Councilmember Polensek asked for complaint and grid-impact information on existing sites. Approved in committee.
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2026-10-19 - City Council - Passed 11-1; Howse-Jones asked about pending applications and Kazy said they stay on hold.
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2026-10-12 - City Council - Read in first reading and referred to committee; a public commenter cited the moratorium as an example of transparency.
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2026-10-05 - City Council - Public comment raised the moratorium's timing relative to a developer filing and a rezoning advancing before hearings.
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2026-09-28 - City Council - Announced a second public comment hearing on data centers for the next day, 5 to 8 p.m. in chambers.