City Council Conference, 5/26/26

The City Council of Norman, Oklahoma, held a conference on May 26, 2026, primarily to discuss the potential imposition of a moratorium on data center developments within the city. Council members and city staff deliberated on the significant resource demands of data centers, particularly their high water and power consumption, and the limited availability of suitable land zoned for such uses. Concerns were raised about the environmental impact, lack of substantial job creation, and minimal tax revenue benefits from data centers. The council considered zoning amendments to require special use permits for data centers, allowing more oversight and control. There was broad support for a temporary moratorium, proposed to last until the end of the year or up to a year, to allow staff to research and develop appropriate policies and regulations addressing water usage, power infrastructure, environmental standards, and economic impacts. The moratorium would halt new data center developments while the city refines its zoning and regulatory framework, with a follow-up agenda item planned for the June 9 council meeting to formalize the moratorium and related policy actions.