Council panel backs data center zoning rules

Legislative Affairs Meeting · Meeting of June 8, 2026

Everett's Legislative Affairs Committee unanimously advanced data center zoning restrictions and two city appointments. Director of Planning and Development Matt Latanzi said the Section 37 ordinance amendment, covering the Docklands Innovation District, would cap "small data centers" at 20,000 square feet or 5 megawatts and keep larger facilities banned outright. Chief Development Officer Monica Lamboy detailed added requirements limiting water use to "one gallon per square foot" annually and raising required job creation to one job per 500 square feet.

A sponsoring councilor said unregulated facilities "produce 24-7 noise" and strain water and electricity. The committee also sent appointments of Kristen Foote as director of elections and Thomas Abruzzese to the Zoning Board of Appeals forward with favorable recommendations, with final confirmation set for the full council's 7 p.m. session the same night.

In the full story:

• Director of Elections Appointment: Kristen Foote
• Zoning Board of Appeals Appointment: Thomas Abruzzese
• Data Center Zoning Ordinance: Section 37 Amendment
• A sponsoring councilor explained the rationale for the restrictions at length, citing resident feedback
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 1,580 words

Source: the Legislative Affairs Meeting meeting of June 8, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.