HomeMy WebLinkAbout09012026 City Council Presentation Data Center MoratoriumData Center Impact Mitigation:
Overview and Tools
Port Angeles City Council Meeting
September 1, 2026
What is a Data Center?
•A facility that provides critical infrastructure to power modern digital services-they house
servers, storage and networking equipment;require power, cooling, and security systems
to ensure continuous, reliable and safe data processing and availability.
•Can be any size –from small ones that support an individual business, to a cluster of small
ones in a business park, to “hyperscale” facilities
1998- Tukwila Data
Center- Intergate West
17,300 sf and 33 MW
DCCO Telcom Center
220,000 sf retrofit
Hillsboro Oregon
Definitions
Simple: A facility or portion of a facility housing networked computer systems and
telecommunications equipment used for remote storage, processing, and distribution
of data.
More detailed: “Data Center” is defined as a business or commercial activity: (1)
devoted to the housing, operation, or co-location of computer and networking
equipment and the handling, storage, management, processing, and backing up of
digital data; (2) requiring electrical capacity in excess of 25 Megavolt-Amperes (MVA);
and (3) requiring uninterruptible power supplies and associated infrastructure such as
cooling systems, backup power systems, and battery storage.
What is a Moratorium? How do you do one?
•A moratorium is a declaration by a legislative body to temporarily
pause regulatory approval of this land use category as a response to
findings about community needs that additional time is needed
•E.g., Moratoria in Seattle, Burien and Tukwila stop applications over 20 MVA
•A moratorium provides staff and the community time to understand
potential impacts and needs of this use type, and develop ways to
prepare/revise appropriate codes to address these potentially unique
needs and impacts
•Can be effective for up to 6-months*-can be renewed with findings of
fact as to necessity and a hearing
•Can be declared with or without a public hearing (if without, a public
hearing must be held within 60 days of adoption)
* up to 1 year period with work plan that needs the longer period (see RCW 35A.63.220)
Choices of
other
Washington
Cities
Current City
Zoning
designations as
they would
relate to the
siting of data
centers
Examples of
Policy
Considerations
Potential Concerns
•Energy use
•Water use
•Heat
•Noise
•E-waste related
landfill pollution
•Others?
Potential Benefits
•Tax Revenue
•Infrastructure
Improvement
•Jobs
•Beneficial Use of
Vacant Properties
•Community
Programs
•Others?
Examples of
Regulatory
Measures to
Shape Data
Center
Development
•Zoning Code
•Zoning Map
•Development Standards
•Sound walls to prevent generator noise pollution
•Landscaping requirements
•Stormwater ponds and swales
•Length/width of driveway
•Impact Mitigation could include
•Road improvements
•Schools and housing
•Water supply resiliency
•Building Code
•Energy Code
•Energy use/density
•Water Use Restrictions
•Agency Reviews
Examples of Work Plan Components for a
Moratorium Period
•Research internet data center types, physical size, power consumption, water consumption, and environmental impacts
•Research power consumption needs for high-priority business sectors such as advance manufacturing and aerospace
•Research the need of technology businesses located in the region
•Research tax implications and opportunities
•Research power availability and grid infrastructure limitations and projections
•Engage with community for education, communication, feedback
•Coordinate research and engagement with government agencies and businesses
•Prepare report on internet data center effects on power, water, environment, jobs, and economy
•Propose actions to relevant boards and commissions and ultimately, the City Council
Potential Next Steps
(not an exhaustive list, nor in any order)
•Direct staff to prepare documents to
declare a moratorium to be adopted at a
future City Council meeting
•Direct staff to schedule a Study Session to
explore policy issues in greater depth
•Request recommendations from the
Planning Commission
•Direct staff to study issue and provide
recommendations to the City Council
•Direct staff to bring forward an energy-
based metric for restriction through the
Utility Advisory Committee
•Others?
Thank you!
State Law: 35A.63.220
Moratoria, interim zoning controls—Public hearing—Limitation on
length.
•A legislative body that adopts a moratorium or interim zoning ordinance, without holding a public
hearing on the proposed moratorium or interim zoning ordinance, shall hold a public hearing on the
adopted moratorium or interim zoning ordinance within at least sixty days of its adoption, whether or not
the legislative body received a recommendation on the matter from the planning agency. If the legislative
body does not adopt findings of fact justifying its action before this hearing, then the legislative body shall
do so immediately after this public hearing. A moratorium or interim zoning ordinance adopted under this
section may be effective for not longer than six months, but may be effective for up to one year if a
work plan is developed for related studies providing for such a longer period. A moratorium of [or]
interim zoning ordinance may be renewed for one or more six-month periods if a subsequent public
hearing is held and findings of fact are made prior to each renewal.
Resources and data rapidly developing
evolving
•Data-Centers-Fact-Sheet-3.pdf (National League of Cities)
•MRSC Materials:
•MRSC - How Can Local Governments Prepare for Data Centers?
•MRSC - What the Data Center Boom Means for Washington Local
Governments
•Cultivating technology (Association of Washington Cities)
•WA State Data Center Workgroup Preliminary Report 12/1/2025 [EO 25-05]
•Data Center Workgroup: Preliminary Report
Source: Key Considerations for Data Center Development • Bipartisan Policy Center
Experiences of other jurisdictions: Quincy
Data Center's additional assessed value has driven down the City
of Quincy's levy rate over time. The current rate is approximately
70% less than it was in 2006 before data centers located to Quincy.
As a result, Quincy's other taxpayers are generally paying
significantly less in property taxes. o 2006 (before data centers):
$3.12 per thousand o 2016: $1.97108 per thousand o 2025:
$0.087788 per thousand
Community college partnership for job training