Loveland suspends large-scale data center applications for a year
The Loveland City Council has voted to enact a year-long suspension on applications for large-scale data centers. This pause will allow city officials to develop comprehensive regulations and land use codes for such facilities. The decision followed resident concerns and a council discussion about potential impacts.
The Loveland City Council has imposed a year-long suspension on new applications for large-scale data centers, which includes acceptance, processing, approval, permitting, rezoning, and site plan review for facilities with an electrical demand of 10 megawatts or more or industrial-scale cooling.
This action, passed with a 7-2 vote, came after a Sept. 1 study session where a majority of council members supported a pause to consider potential impacts and develop appropriate land use codes. Councilor Laura Light-Kovacs successfully motioned to extend the initial nine-month proposed suspension to 12 months, citing the need for "goodwill" towards residents concerned about data center development. Mayor Pat McFall and Councilor Geoff Frahm opposed the extension, arguing nine months was sufficient.
Acting City Manager Brian Waldes assured the community that no data center applications would be considered before the new regulations are complete. A proposal by Mayor Pro Tem Andrea Samson for an indefinite suspension of "hyperscale" data centers was withdrawn, with council deciding to address the issue of prohibiting such facilities through amendments to the Unified Development Code at a later date. The suspension took effect immediately and can conclude sooner if comprehensive regulations are adopted.