Eugene residents demand moratorium on data centers at council meeting
Eugene residents are advocating for a moratorium on data centers, emphasizing that current zoning codes do not permit such facilities. This follows the city's recent denial of a zoning request for a potential data center. The Eugene City Council is set to hold a work session in December to address the issue further.
Residents of Eugene, Oregon, are actively demanding a moratorium on data center developments within their community, citing current zoning regulations that do not classify data centers as an allowable use. During a recent City Council meeting, 72 individuals participated in public comment to voice strong opposition to a potential data center project.
The public outcry follows the City of Eugene's denial of a zoning request for a data center planned for the former Heinex campus in West Eugene. Despite the existing prohibition on data centers under current zoning, residents are pushing for a formal moratorium to prevent future attempts at development. City Council members have acknowledged the community's concerns and the clarity provided by the recent zoning determination.
Reporter Israel Laroo highlighted that while public comment at the Monday night meeting reflected strong sentiment against data centers, the Eugene City Council will not take any meaningful action until a dedicated work session scheduled for December 14th. During this session, the council plans to discuss data centers and Eugene's land use case in detail, as they gather more information and prepare to formally address the issue.