Listening & responding
Concerns We've Heard
Select any concern below to see the City's response and the specific mitigations we can require. Each answer cites published sources so you can check the information yourself.
Transparency
The complete draft is published on this site — full text plus a plain-language explanation of every section.
See the City's response →Water Supply
Cooling methods vary widely; the City can require low-water designs and disclosure of water use.
See the City's response →Water Quality
Cooling water is heat-transfer water, not chemical-process water; any discharge is permitted and monitored, and on-site fuel is contained under EPA rules. The real water issue is how much is used, not poisoning.
See the City's response →Noise
Noise comes mainly from cooling and backup generators; setbacks, enclosures, and limits can be required.
See the City's response →Battery Fire Safety
Modern BESS are governed by fire codes (NFPA 855); the City can require setbacks, safety systems, and a coordinated emergency plan.
See the City's response →Night Sky
A data center has neither the tall lit structures nor the 24/7 outdoor work areas that make a power plant glow — and the ordinance requires dark-sky lighting.
See the City's response →Location Risks
Facilities are sited away from floodplains and built to high resilience standards; the City can require environmental and flood-plain review before any approval.
See the City's response →E-Waste
E-waste is a real, tangible concern — but one with proven solutions (recycling, reuse, refurbishment), and the City can require an e-waste management plan.
See the City's response →Property Values
Screening, setbacks, and siting standards are designed to limit neighborhood impact; the district can also broaden the tax base.
See the City's response →Crypto Mining
Crypto-mining is treated as a distinct use; the proposed ordinance calls it out and requires separate review.
See the City's response →The Power Grid
Large users connect under utility rules and typically fund their own infrastructure; battery storage can actually support grid reliability.
See the City's response →Traffic & Roads
Operations are low-traffic; construction impacts can be managed with haul routes and road-maintenance agreements.
See the City's response →Growth & Efficiency
Demand is growing — but facilities keep getting more efficient, and the City controls the pace and scale through the mapped overlay and a separate permit for every project.
See the City's response →A full list of every source cited across these responses is on the Sources & References page.