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KITTITAS COUNTY <br /> COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES <br /> STUDY STAFF REPORT <br /> STUDY SESSION DATE: August 1 Oth, 2026 <br /> ACTION REQUESTED: Request to Approve a Resolution placing a six (6) month <br /> Emergency Moratorium on acceptance of Data Centers <br /> proposals/applications within Kittitas County. <br /> BACKGROUND: Data Centers are a rapidly evolving land use involving <br /> large-scale buildings, high electrical demand, backup <br /> power systems, mechanical cooling systems, water or <br /> wastewater considerations, noise-producing equipment, <br /> exterior lighting, traffic and construction impacts, <br /> emergency response considerations, and potential impacts <br /> to public infrastructure and neighboring land uses. <br /> The County has a legitimate and substantial public interest <br /> evaluating whether data centers should be specifically <br /> defined and regulated within Kittitas County Code, <br /> including but not limited to review of zoning districts, <br /> conditional use requirements, development standards, <br /> utility and infrastructure impacts, energy and water <br /> demand, emergency access, fire protection, noise, lighting, <br /> screening, environmental review, transportation impacts, <br /> and compatibility with surrounding rural, agricultural, <br /> commercial, industrial, and residential uses. <br /> INTERACTION: Kittitas County Community Development Services <br /> Department. <br /> RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Resolution to establish an emergency six (6) <br /> month moratorium with a Hearing to be held within sixty <br /> (60) days of enactment regarding Data Centers. <br /> HANDLING: Return one original to Community Development Services. <br /> ATTACHMENTS: Resolution <br /> LEAD STAFF: Chad Bala, Director. <br />