Medford Officials Review Data Center Zoning Codes and Potential Development Standards
Medford city officials held a joint study session to review how existing land development codes could apply if a data center were proposed. Officials discussed potential zoning standards for setbacks, noise, glare, electricity demand and water use, but made no decisions and noted that the city has no active data center applications.
The Medford City Council and Planning Commission held a nearly two-hour joint study session on the city’s current land development code and how it would regulate a potential data center. Planning Department staff, including Kelly Aken, explained that no data center applications are currently pending in Medford and outlined possible concerns involving residential setbacks, noise and glare mitigation.
Officials also reviewed issues raised by other Oregon cities, including the high electricity demand and water consumption associated with data centers. The study session was informational, and Medford officials did not take action or adopt changes to the city’s zoning or development codes.