October 20, 2026 City Council Meeting

The October 20, 2026 West Richland City Council meeting focused heavily on public concerns about a proposed data center near Lewis and Clark Ranch, including potential effects on water, noise, emissions, vineyards, energy infrastructure, and public participation. Residents and economic-development representatives offered opposing views; several residents requested a six-month moratorium and stronger safeguards, but the council took no action on a moratorium or data center application. No procurement activity, contract awards, vendor selections, or project spending approvals were identified.

The council approved the consent agenda, including payment of bills, prior minutes, an ordinance reducing minimum parking requirements for new multifamily housing, and a resolution setting a public hearing on a utility-easement vacation. It also voted 7–0 to accept proposed critical-area updates for review and 6–1 to accept proposed development-regulation updates for review by the state Department of Commerce; both are steps in the comprehensive-plan update, not final adoption. Public comment focused on the proposed changes to SEPA appeals and the development review process, as well as requests to delay action for more public review.