Amid lawsuit, Springfield City Council to consider defining ‘data center,’ extending moratorium
Springfield officials are considering extending the city’s moratorium on accepting and processing data center applications amid an ongoing lawsuit. The city also plans to define “data center” in its Land Development Code before developing longer-term rules.
The Springfield Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled to consider a proposed extension of the city’s data center development moratorium on Oct. 15, followed by a final decision from the Springfield City Council on Oct. 26. If approved, the pause would continue from Nov. 17 through Feb. 24.
The city also plans to establish a formal definition of “data center” in its Land Development Code. City Manager David Cameron said the extension would give officials more time to review community input and assess questions involving utilities, public safety, the environment and land use while an existing lawsuit over the moratorium remains unresolved.