Commissioners weigh data centers coming to Clackamas County
Clackamas County commissioners discussed potential data center development, assessing land and water usage concerns despite having no current applications. They are considering amending county code to address data centers and are monitoring state-level legislative efforts, requesting alerts for any new applications.
Clackamas County commissioners recently convened to discuss the potential for data center development within the county. While the county currently hosts no data centers and has not received any applications, the commissioners aim to be proactive in understanding the industry's implications and preparing for future proposals.
Among the primary concerns raised during the meeting were land availability and water usage. Commissioners noted that data centers do not always require extensive warehouse space but acknowledged their substantial water demands. One commissioner specifically highlighted the importance of protecting the county's established nursery industry and ensuring its water needs are prioritized.
The county's director of development indicated that current county code does not differentiate data centers from other industrial customers. Consequently, commissioners are considering changes to these rules to better regulate future data center projects. They also plan to observe any related legislative actions taken by state lawmakers in Salem next year before finalizing local code amendments. In the interim, commissioners requested to be immediately notified if any data center applications are submitted to the county for closer review.