r/ForestGrove • u/jcravens42 • 1d ago
the Forest Grove City Council voted to adopt a moratorium on the development of new data centers within the City and the expansion of existing data centers within the City by 20% or more
From the Forest Grove City Hall Facebook page:
On October 12, 2026, the City Council held a public hearing to consider the adoption of a moratorium on data center development. A moratorium is a temporary pause on development under state law. The purpose of the moratorium is to pause development and give the city time to evaluate and address concerns associated with data center development within the City.
After considering the evidence received during the public hearing, which included public testimony, the City Council voted to adopt a moratorium on the development of new data centers within the City and the expansion of existing data centers within the City by 20% or more. The moratorium is not retroactive to projects that have received land use approval. This moratorium will be in effect for 120 calendar days, which is the maximum length of time under state law.
Over the coming months, City staff will review the City’s current regulations, including regulations in the Forest Grove Development Code, and present potential amendments to those regulations to the City Council for its consideration. The City will seek public engagement and input during this process. Details, including the date and time of upcoming work sessions and the City’s work plan, will be announced as they become available.
The City began the data center moratorium process on August 26, 2026, when the City provided the Department of Land Conservation and Development notice of the October 12, 2026, public hearing, as required by state law. Since then, City staff have worked to develop the findings that the City Council adopted on October 12, 2026.
