After hours of public testimony in Salem’s crowded Loucks Auditorium, the Salem City Council unanimously voted to put a halt to future data center applications. The motion passed after public testimony, which was largely against data center projects moving forward in Salem. City staff expect to send a 45-day notice of the change to the Oregon Department of Land Conservation no later than Aug. 10.  Salem residents were ushered inside the Salem Public Library by a path of yellow caution tape and given tickets for entry for a special council meeting to discuss a possible moratorium on data center land use applications. Many attendees held signs bearing messages against data centers as the meeting began. The library’s basement was also open for live viewing, and others supported public testimony from outside the building. SIGN UP: “I love and respect what Salem Reporter does for our community.” Salem Reporter covers the people, issues, and stories shaping our city. Stay connected to Salem. Subscribe today.  Salem City Manager Krishna Namburi called the special meeting following a council meeting last month which had public testimony stretch over five hours as hundreds of community members expressed outrage at the proposed data center from Google-backed company Verrus. Verrus’ project, Oakline at Mill Creek, will still be assessed based on current city code because the company’s initial application was already submitted, city attorney Dan Atchison confirmed at the meeting. Verrus submitted its application July 31.  Councilors approved a motion to extend the meeting time to 10:30. Last month’s meeting went on until around 12:30 a.m.  Public comment kicked off the meeting after staff reports, and saw a majority of speakers continue to advocate against data centers and support the moratorium as a first step toward stopping centers from being built in Salem.  Speakers were met with cheers as they brought up questions regarding water use and environmental impact. Union construction workers who supported Oakline at Mill Creek said that it would create jobs and had concerns about a blanket halt on applications — these workers were met with booing and thumbs down from the audience. After public testimony ended, the council turned to whether to move forward with the moratorium.  Councilor Mai Vang was in support of the moratorium so that more time could be afforded to understand the potential impacts data center construction could have on the community.  Councilor and mayor-elect Vanessa Nordyke asserted that she and other councilors did not know about the non-disclosure agreement prior to when it was disclosed July 13. Atchison said a moratorium would grant a minimum of a 120-day pause, with the opportunity to extend up to six months. The pause would only apply to AI data centers and not other smaller types that might have different or fewer impacts on the community. Atchison added that 120 days would likely not be enough to consider amendments to the code and further discuss community impact of data center projects. Contact reporter Reilly Norgren: [email protected] The post Salem City Council moves forward with moratorium after special meeting appeared first on Salem Reporter. ...read more read less