Council chambers packed as residents weigh in on data centers
The Chewelah City Council held a public hearing for Ordinance 1027, a six-month data center moratorium, which had been approved in July. Residents packed the chambers to voice concerns about potential impacts like water, electricity, noise, and rural character. The city clarified that no data center proposals had been received, and the moratorium aims to give the city time to develop future regulations.
The Chewelah City Council held a public hearing on August 19 for Ordinance 1027, which enacts a six-month moratorium on data center development within city limits. Mayor Baxter clarified that the moratorium had been approved in July and its purpose is to allow the city time to study the potential impacts of data centers and develop appropriate regulations.
The Mayor also stated that no proposals from data center companies have been received by the city, emphasizing that there are no imminent projects. Public comments at the packed hearing focused on concerns including water and electricity usage, infrastructure strain, noise, impacts on tourism and farmland, property values, and maintaining the area's rural character. Many residents expressed appreciation for the council's proactive approach.
The council noted that the moratorium only applies within Chewelah city limits and encouraged surrounding areas, particularly the county, to consider similar measures, as the city itself has limited capacity for such developments. The hearing will inform the city's process of developing future rules for data centers.