Woodburn wants to consider moratorium on new data centers
Woodburn, Oregon, is considering a moratorium on new data center developments following interest from developer Verrus, whose prior proposal in Salem faced significant opposition and led to the Governor halting a state land sale. The city council previously enacted an ordinance designating data centers as a conditional use requiring public hearings.
Woodburn, Oregon, has announced its intention to consider a moratorium on new data center developments. This decision comes after the city learned that Verrus, a data center developer, is conducting due diligence for a potential project within Woodburn. The city issued a 45-day notice to the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development on July 30, initiating the review period required before a moratorium can be adopted by the city council.
This proactive stance by Woodburn follows an earlier proposal by Verrus on July 13 to build a data center in Salem, which was met with strong community opposition. In response to the public outcry, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek directed the Department of Administrative Services to halt the sale of state-owned land that was intended for a portion of the proposed Salem data center.
Anticipating potential applications, the Woodburn City Council had already taken steps in June, unanimously voting to adopt an ordinance that designates data centers as a conditional use within its 237-acre Southwest Industrial Reserve Area. This ordinance means that data center proposals cannot be approved by city staff alone and will require a public hearing for any development to proceed, also giving the city the power to deny such applications. Mayor Frank Lonergan noted that these measures were in preparation for potential future developments, not in response to a firm offer.