City of Pasco to weigh six-month pause on new data center permits
The Pasco City Council is considering a six-month moratorium on new data center-related permits and business licenses. This pause would allow city staff to draft specific land-use regulations and gather public input, addressing concerns about high demands on land, power, and water resources by such facilities. The moratorium would apply to various types of high-density computing facilities, including data centers, cryptocurrency mining, and AI computing.
The Pasco City Council is scheduled to vote on a six-month moratorium on new data center-related permits and business licenses at its July 20 regular meeting. If approved, the ordinance would temporarily halt the acceptance and processing of applications for new data centers, cryptocurrency mining facilities, blockchain computing facilities, artificial intelligence computing facilities, and other high-density computing operations.
The city currently permits data centers by right in its I-2 and I-3 zones, with no facility-specific standards beyond general zoning rules. The proposed pause aims to address concerns regarding these facilities' substantial demand for land, power, water, and mechanical equipment. It would provide city staff with time to develop comprehensive land-use regulations and solicit public input, requiring a public hearing within 60 days of adoption.
The moratorium would encompass various land-use approvals, including business licenses, building permits, conditional use permits, site plan reviews, and subdivisions.