Henderson to revise data center rules instead of approving moratorium

The Henderson City Council voted against implementing a proposed 180-day moratorium on new data center applications, a decision made after extensive public comment from residents. Mayor Michelle Romero confirmed that the council chose to take no immediate action on the moratorium ordinance, which would have paused new facility applications for six months.

Residents, many of whom spoke in favor of the pause, expressed concerns about the environmental impact, wildlife, habitation, and human effects of data centers, specifically citing water usage, power demand, and noise. They urged the council to allow more time, with some suggesting a 12-month pause, to gather data and ensure community involvement in understanding the potential impacts of future projects.

Instead of a moratorium, council members directed city staff to revise the city's code and future development agreement frameworks. The goal is to incorporate resident concerns over water usage, power strain, and noise into the requirements for new data center applications. This process would involve negotiations, review by the Planning Commission, and ultimately a presentation to the City Council with opportunities for public comment. Council members believe this approach proactively allows them to change codes and adapt as technology evolves.

While some residents expressed disappointment that the moratorium was not enacted, there was a sense of encouragement that the council is taking policy suggestions to heart. The expectation is that revising the city's code and creating a new development agreement framework will effectively put a pause on new data centers until these changes are in place, ensuring that future applications are held until the updated guidelines are finalized.