Special City Council Meeting September 14th, 2026

The City of Aberdeen held a special city council meeting on September 14, 2026, focused on gathering public input regarding the drafting of an ordinance to regulate or prohibit data centers within city limits. The meeting featured numerous community speakers expressing concerns about the environmental, economic, health, and social impacts of data centers, including issues related to water usage, noise pollution, housing shortages, and potential increases in utility costs. Several speakers urged the council to extend the existing moratorium on data center permits and to establish a citizen task force for further study. One speaker advocated for the potential benefits of data centers if environmental impacts were mitigated. No formal votes or actions were taken during the meeting, but the council announced plans to present a draft ordinance in two weeks and hold subsequent public hearings. The meeting emphasized transparency and community involvement in the decision-making process regarding data center development.