Spokane mayor forms data center group during permit pause
Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown has formed a new internal work group to study the impacts of data centers after the city adopted a one-year moratorium on new building permit applications. The group will evaluate issues like water use, wastewater, and noise pollution to establish a framework for future data center siting.
Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown announced the formation of an internal work group, led by City Administrator Alexander Scott, following the city's enactment of a one-year moratorium on new data center building permit applications. This pause covers the acceptance, processing, review, and approval of permits for new data centers, allowing the city to study their appropriate siting within Spokane.
The mayor stated that the review will focus on potential impacts to residents and city systems, including water use, wastewater, and noise pollution. The work group, comprising city employees from various departments, will assist the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Board and the Plan Commission. Their tasks include reviewing research, examining policies from other municipalities, consulting subject-matter experts, and gathering public feedback to develop a comprehensive framework and standards for data centers in Spokane.