The clock is ticking

McMinnville officials have 18 months, without an extension, to review its zoning restrictions as they pertain to data centers and determine how best to alleviate concerns for community safety.

During its Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting last night, June 9, officials unanimously passed on second read an ordinance that placed a stay on issuing building permits for data centers, and the like, to provide the city adequate time to review and, if appropriate, update zoning classifications and land use standards as they relate to data center and large scale technology facility developments.

“Given the scale and potential impact of large-scale data center facilities, similar high impact uses, and public input, significant immediate action was necessary to allow adequate time for a thorough review of applicable ordinances, development standards, and community impacts before any permits could be issued or approvals granted,” stated Community Development director Sean Garrett.

So, now, the clock is ticking, and the city is hitting the ground running. According to Garrett, an internal city department working group will be established to begin information gathering. It will include staff from Community Development, Public Works, Water and Wastewater, Fire and Legal. The working group will advise elected officials as to the best course of action to take.

Given an outpouring of public concern, a series of town hall meetings will be held.

“The first is June 22 at 6 p.m. here at city hall,” said Garrett. “The next one will be June 25 [at 6 p.m. at city hall]. After those two, we will see about scheduling more and moving forward on that. By this Friday, we will have everything up on the project hub, which is on the city’s website.”

Posting all information online is an attempt by the city to alleviate public concerns and dispel inaccurate information being disseminated by social media platforms and conspiracy theorists.

First reading and unanimous vote on the ordinance was held June 3.