Salem City Council to vote on clarifying code to halt AI data centers
The Salem City Council is scheduled to consider interpreting existing city code to prohibit AI and hyperscale data centers, potentially stopping Verrus’ proposed Oakline at Mill Creek project. The action follows a city construction moratorium and strong public opposition over water use, energy demand, noise and environmental impacts.
The Salem City Council will hold a Nov. 9 public hearing on whether existing city code already bars AI data centers, hyperscale facilities and other large-scale computational centers. City Attorney Dan Atchison said the proposed interpretation would clarify that the code, adopted before AI data centers became common, does not permit such facilities and would apply to Verrus’ pending Oakline at Mill Creek application in southeast Salem.
The council’s consideration follows hundreds of public comments opposing the Verrus project and other potential AI data centers. Opponents have cited water consumption, electricity demand, noise and broader environmental effects. Salem previously enacted a moratorium on data center construction, prohibited nondisclosure agreements with developers and began updating zoning and land-use regulations related to large facilities.