AGENDA DATE: 10/1/2025
TITLE:
Title
Data Center Phase 2 Zoning Text and Zoning Map Amendment Update Presentation
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Update on potential ordinance regulations for data centers and establishment of one or more overlay districts for data centers.
ITEM TYPE: Regular Information Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Wall, Herrick, Sumner, Filardo, Fritz
PRESENTER (S): Bill Fritz
LEGAL REVIEW: Not Required
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: On April 2, 2025, the Board of Supervisors adopted limited regulations for data centers. On May 7, 2025, the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution of intent to consider additional regulations and the creation of an overlay district. On August 8, 2025, the Board of Supervisors held a work session to discuss potential regulations and overlay districts for data centers.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Quality of Life - Encourage a vibrant community with economic and recreational opportunities that serve all community members.
DISCUSSION: At the August 8, 2025 work session the Board of Supervisors provided comments on the potential ordinance regulations and overlay districts. The Board expressed concern over the locations and regulations associated with overlay districts that would allow data centers up to a certain size by-right. Staff has also identified concerns with regulations associated with noise and with water consumption.
Given the rapidly changing nature of the data center regulatory environment, staff believes it is prudent to pause further work on this topic to allow new industry regulations to coalesce. Attachment A provides more detail on staff’s findings.
BUDGET IMPACT: No adverse budget impact is anticipated.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Board of Supervisors indefinitely defer further action on the text amendment and zoning map amendment.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A - Discussion of data center ordinance regulations and overlay districts.