Longmont City Council continues to have their hands full. Tuesday night, members will begin to consider new rules surrounding prairie dog management and weigh an ordinance that would ban hyperscale data centers.
First, prairie dogs.
Last week’s 4-hour session forced members to delay discussion of a citizen-initiated request to heighten protections for prairie dog colonies from land development.
Potential rule changes include:
Restricting the size of land with prairie dog habitat eligible for development.
Raising fees for permits to develop on land with prairie dog habitat.
There is support, both from residents and city officials, to further protect prairie dog habitat. However, some members expressed concern about additional costs to developers.
Now, data centers.
City Council will continue to weigh whether to vote to ban “hyperscale” data centers as an allowable land use within the city. Hyperscale facilities are defined as a data center with a projected or contracted peak electrical demand of 100 megawatts or greater. The action comes as concerns from locals about the sustainability of data centers remain robust.
A City of Longmont report cites:
One hyperscale facility can consume as much electricity as tens of thousands of homes.
Facilities can consume millions of gallons of water per day.
Increased greenhouse gas emissions
On the flip side…
Facilities often bring hundreds to thousands of jobs to communities.
Earnings from tax revenue can provide a significant buoy to city operations.
Many companies are pioneering methods for recycling used water along with carbon capture technology to offset environmental impacts.
The action begins at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at the Civic Center. Watch via livestream here.
Can’t get enough local government? All are invited to the next meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Attend in-person in city council chambers or watch via livestream here.