Englewood council to consider 18-month pause on large data-center construction
The proposed moratorium would bar construction of data centers requiring at least 5 megawatts while staff studies impacts and develops land-use rules.
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Englewood City Council is scheduled to consider an 18-month moratorium on large data-center construction on Nov. 2. The proposed pause would give city staff time to study the facilities’ impacts and develop land-use rules.
Council Bill 22 would prohibit construction of data centers with projected power needs of at least 5 megawatts. The moratorium would last 18 months after taking effect, or until the city completes its study and adopts permanent regulations, whichever comes first. The council could extend it by ordinance.
Staff materials cite potential demands on water and power infrastructure, noise, pollution, sustainability and quality of life as concerns the study could address. Facilities requiring less than 5 megawatts are not intended to be restricted because they could be accessory to an existing business, the materials say.
The Planning and Zoning Commission discussed a possible moratorium at a Sept. 9 study session but took no formal action then. At an Oct. 27 agenda-setting meeting, City Attorney Tamara Niles said the commission had since recommended an 18-month pause to allow staff to study the issue.
The Nov. 2 council agenda lists the bill for first reading. The council has not adopted it.