Burien City Council proposes data center moratorium
The Burien City Council initiated a moratorium on new data centers to allow staff to study potential impacts on infrastructure and the environment, and to develop permanent regulations. This decision came during a meeting where the council also heavily criticized the Port of Seattle's plans for Sea-Tac Airport expansion.
The Burien City Council moved to initiate a moratorium on new data centers at its June 15, 2026, meeting. The decision aims to provide city staff with time to research potential benefits and drawbacks, and to develop permanent regulations for data centers, even though no new data center applications have been received to date.
The council indicated a preference for a one-year moratorium, which would require a study, while a six-month moratorium would necessitate a public hearing. During this period, staff will examine expected job creation, impacts on the electrical grid, stormwater systems, and noise and air quality issues. They will also propose future permanent regulations for data centers.
Separately, during the same meeting, the council expressed strong disapproval of the Port of Seattle's controversial airport expansion plans. Councilmembers Sam Mendez, Hugo Garcia, Rocco DeVito, and Mayor Sarah Moore challenged Port spokesperson Dave Kaplan regarding increased noise pollution, dangerous ultra-fine particle levels, and economic blight in surrounding neighborhoods. This criticism persisted despite an FAA environmental review asserting "no significant difference" in community impact from the expansion. The council also issued a call for applicants to fill a vacant council seat.