The McMinnville Board of Mayor and Aldermen passed a temporary moratorium on data centers and high-density computing facilities Tuesday on final reading.
The move allows the city time to develop specific land use and noise regulations as a company has expressed interest in building a center. Community Development Director Sean Garrett said the city will have a new web portal by Friday with information and background as it takes the next step.
“All the information including this report that you guys have, any research we get, any possible regs, options, all of that stuff will be on that one spot so that everybody can quickly and easily access that and that way it’ll be shared quickly,” Garrett said. “It’ll all be right there.”
Mayor Ryle Chastain said the moratorium halts the acceptance, processing, and approval of applications for land use, zoning, building site plans, or conditional use permits related to such facilities.
More public comment came before the second reading, against the data centers. Garrett said residents will be able to discuss the issues more June 22 and 25 during two town hall sessions.
“The moratorium provides our community with opportunity to gather facts, engage residents, consult experts and carefully evaluate what regulations and safeguards may be necessary moving forward,” resident Lilia Jensen said. “During this period I encourage local officials to examine zoning options, infrastructure requirements, environmental protections, emergency response capabilities, water resource management, noise standards and energy impact associated with AI data centers and similar facilities.”
Garrett said he will work closely with the planning commission to address infrastructure and environmental concerns raised by residents during the public hearing.