Broken Arrow to discuss data center moratorium
Broken Arrow City Council will discuss a proposed six-month moratorium on data center developments at a special meeting. This action follows the recent failure of a data center project and aims to allow the city to study the potential impacts of data centers and review zoning regulations.
The Broken Arrow City Council is set to discuss a proposed six-month moratorium on data center developments at a special meeting on Monday. This follows the recent expiration of a letter of intent for a data center project on 52 acres in east Broken Arrow, between a private property owner, Rex Robertson, and an unnamed prospective company.
City Manager Michael Spurgeon recommended the moratorium, stating it would allow the city to comprehensively study the potential impacts of data centers on the community. These impacts include electricity consumption and potential rate hikes, water demand, noise generation, traffic, state-level tax exemptions, and increased demands on public infrastructure. The city also aims to use this period to review its current zoning ordinance, which does not explicitly define data centers, to determine appropriate zoning designations.
Spurgeon emphasized the importance of considering this pause when no active data center applications are on the table, allowing for a thorough and proactive review. He noted the diverse uses and specifications of data centers make it challenging to understand their community impacts without dedicated study. The proposed moratorium could be extended for an additional six months if needed, mirroring actions taken or considered by other Oklahoma cities like Edmond and Oklahoma City.