Pause button hit on proposed data center
After listening to a 90-minute tidal wave of emotions, concerns and unfounded accusations on Wednesday evening, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved an ordinance on first read to suspend permits related to data centers.
Mayor Ryle Chastain, Vice Mayor Steve Harvey and Aldermen Sally Brock, Deitra Dunlap, Rachel Kirby, Keri Morton and Kara Youngblood unanimously voted in favor of placing an 18-month moratorium on data centers, as well as bitcoin mining facilities, microchip manufacturing facilities and other similar high impact uses.
It was estimated that 120 visitors attended the session. Of those community members, around 40 stepped up to the podium to express concerns for environment, health, water shortages, increased utility rates, etc. A few individuals stooped low, accusing city leaders of accepting bribes and “lining their pockets” to the detriment of the community. Throughout, board members sat stoically.
After allowing everyone a chance to speak, Chastain attempt to dispel inaccurate information.
“This proposal, which is an idea on their part [Hixson Data Center owners], has nothing to do, at this point, with the city of McMinnville. This is not us trying to do this. This would be, hypothetically, a private investment. The second point is about some misleading information in their advertising and website. Specifically, about partnerships with a local telecom. That is not the case.”
The project is not in the permitting phase, he added, “That is absolutely false. The city has issued no permits in this regard. There have been not site studies conducted. There have been no requests for information about zoning or anything like that. That is a false statement.”
Chastain point out less-than-scrupulous “news” reporting that led to community confusion and outcry.
“The third part is about how we got to where we are right now. That is because a major news media outlet irresponsibly put out egregiously false information that lacked major context in this regard and that is how this was brought to our attention. There were no facts gleaned from this media outlet and they printed that… not printed, it was on TV, without our knowledge and without any facts given by the city of McMinnville.”
A moratorium, which is a freeze and not a ban, will allow city officials time to review its zoning codes and consider changes to strengthen them for when a genuine permit request is made.
Ordinances require two readings, with a second vote slated to be held during the McMinnville Board of Mayor and Aldermen’s regular session this month.
