Reno City Council approves a pending moratorium on data centers

The Reno City Council has approved a pending moratorium on data center conditional use permit applications, voting 6-1 after extensive public comment and discussion. Councilwoman Kathleen Taylor cast the lone dissenting vote, arguing the work could be done without a moratorium. Lauren Knox, Senior Planner with Development Services, explained that this 30-day pending moratorium is the first step in a two-stage process, with a final moratorium and its specific timeframe to be considered on June 1. The Council is also pursuing a 'fast track' option to quickly implement new regulations for data centers through a text amendment initiated on April 22, aiming for more specific rules sooner than a broader regional effort. While a regional approach involving the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency is also underway to establish best practices for data center regulations, the city is prioritizing local actions. The approved pending moratorium will not affect the five existing data centers within Reno's city limits or the four projects that have already received approvals and are in various stages of development. Proponents of the moratorium, including Bari Levinson of The Sierra Club, expressed support for a pause to allow for the development of adequate ordinances governing data center development, citing concerns over quality of life, environmental impacts, and effects on native tribes. Opponents, such as Rob Brenner of the Northern Nevada Building Trades Council, argued that a moratorium signals Reno is 'closed for business,' potentially hindering job creation and economic diversification, though they support putting guardrails on projects to ensure local benefits.