Reading City Council puts 180-day moratorium on applications for artificial intelligence data centers
Reading City Council unanimously enacted a 180-day moratorium on applications for artificial intelligence data centers, citing defects in the current zoning ordinance. This temporary pause allows the city to develop new rules and regulations to address AI data centers, considering concerns about energy consumption and local resources.
Reading City Council unanimously voted to adopt a resolution Monday night, initiating a 180-day moratorium on applications for artificial intelligence data centers. The council invoked the curative amendment process for the city's zoning ordinance, determining it to be defective as it currently lacks provisions for such facilities. According to Council solicitor Michael Gombar, this process, permitted by state law, allows the municipality to develop specific rules and regulations within the 180-day period without considering any new data center permit applications.
The move was prompted by Councilman Jaime Baez, who at a July 6 committee meeting presented a proposed zoning amendment that would limit data centers to heavy manufacturing districts via conditional use applications, requiring city council approval. Although no AI data center applications are currently pending, the city recognized its vulnerability to developers applying to place data centers in any zoning district due to the ordinance's current state. Residents, including Christopher Garcia, attended the meeting to voice opposition, citing concerns about the significant energy consumption of data centers and their potential impact on local resources, especially amid irregular temperatures. Council President Donna Reed emphasized the importance of taking extra time for legislative processes to ensure comprehensive regulations.