City Council rejects data center moratorium

The Rochester City Council on Tuesday night unanimously voted to reject a 12-month data center moratorium ordinance, which had been recommended by the Fulton County Area Plan Commission. The proposed ordinance aimed to prevent new data centers and changes to the zoning ordinance within Rochester city limits for a year. The council was presented with three options: accept, reject, or do nothing. Their vote sends the ordinance back to the Area Plan Commission. If the Plan Commission reaffirms its recommendation, the ordinance will return to the city council for a second consideration; a second rejection by the council would prevent the moratorium from happening in the city. Council members voiced their reasoning for the rejection. Councilman Brian Goodman stated he did not see hyperscale data centers fitting within Rochester's city limits and did not wish to turn away potential opportunities. Councilman Bob Cannedy raised concerns about the moratorium potentially hindering the development of the new Chamberlain Commercial Park and limiting businesses from engaging with the city. Attorney Andy Perkins explained the procedural implications of the council's decision, noting that doing nothing would have allowed the moratorium to go into effect for the city. The Fulton County Commissioners had previously voted in favor of a 12-month moratorium.