Spokane County pauses large data center construction approvals
The Spokane County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to enact a temporary moratorium on land use applications for large data centers until December. This pause is intended to allow for community conversation and the development of new zoning ordinances addressing concerns like water and electricity usage, and noise.
The Spokane County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a temporary moratorium on all land use applications for large data centers. This pause will last until December and was enacted to facilitate community discussions and the establishment of comprehensive guidelines for future data center developments.
Commissioner Chris Jordan stated that this action provides an opportunity for essential community conversation and can be extended if more time is needed to find suitable solutions.
In conjunction with the moratorium, a draft zoning ordinance has been created for data center facilities. This proposed ordinance includes requirements such as mandatory noise and vibration studies, strict water usage restrictions, and emergency response plans that must be reviewed by the relevant fire districts.
Public feedback highlights concerns about water and electricity consumption. Resident Hannah Trefry expressed support for the pause, citing water usage and electricity costs as primary worries for the community. While public comment was not permitted at Tuesday's meeting, county commissioners assured that future opportunities for community input would be provided.