Public Hearing: Potential Data Center Moratorium - Oct. 21, 2026

The Clackamas County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on a potential data center moratorium on October 21, 2026 (the meeting metadata lists October 22 UTC). Staff presented a draft resolution that would pause county approval of new or expanded data centers as primary uses throughout unincorporated Clackamas County for 120 days, while the county develops zoning code amendments; the statute allows a possible six-month extension. Staff described the proposal as a temporary, countywide moratorium supported by findings about potential effects on water and electricity capacity, nearby residences, and limited industrial land. Staff said there were no known data center applications pending in unincorporated areas; a facility was believed to be in Wilsonville, which is outside county land-use jurisdiction. No decision or vote was scheduled for this hearing, and the discussion was to continue at the Board’s business meeting the following day.

Public testimony included support for the temporary pause and calls for stronger or longer-term limits, citing resource use, energy costs, emissions, land use, and community impacts. Other speakers opposed an overly broad moratorium, noting potential economic and technology benefits and asking the county to distinguish among types of facilities. Staff said testimony and proposed zoning amendments would inform later planning work, with public input through the regular amendment process. No contracts, purchases, budget allocations, or other procurement actions were identified.