City HallFriday, November 13

Salem pushes its AI data center vote to Tuesday, and testimony is open until 5 p.m. today

The Daily Salem teamFrom today’s edition · 1 min read · 4 sources

If you've got something to say about Salem's AI data center rule, you have until 5 p.m. today, Fri., Nov. 13, to send it. The City Council was set to vote Thursday on Resolution 2026-46, but the meeting was rescheduled to Tue., Nov. 17. City spokesperson Rob Layne said the move gives residents enough time to submit testimony after Microsoft Outlook, the city's email client, went down.

The data center vote lands Nov. 17, with more steps to follow

July 31The Oakline at Mill Creek application was submitted.
Nov. 13Public testimony is due by 5 p.m.
Nov. 17Council will deliberate and vote on Resolution 2026-46.
Nov. 23A public hearing is set on long-term data center and battery storage rules.
Jan. 2027The deadline to answer the listed deficiencies in the Oakline application.

Sources: 1430 KYKN, Salem Business Journal, Salem Reporter

The resolution would interpret Salem's zoning code as excluding AI and hyperscale data centers from permitted uses. It's tied to Verrus' proposed Oakline at Mill Creek campus in southeast Salem, about 600,000 square feet across two buildings. City Attorney Dan Atchison says it's an interpretation, not an amendment, which would take a more extensive process. The developer argues it's a zoning change that requires added legal procedures.

The proposed Oakline campus would cover about 600,000 square feet

Floor area of the proposed Oakline campus, beside places you know

The proposed Oakline campus600,000 sq. ft.Two buildings

A football field57,600 sq. ft.end zones included

A Walmart Supercenterabout 180,000 sq. ft.

10 football fields would fit inside the proposed Oakline campus

Source: Salem Business Journal

View as table

	Floor area
The proposed Oakline campus	600,000 sq. ft. (Two buildings)
A football field	57,600 sq. ft. (end zones included)
A Walmart Supercenter	about 180,000 sq. ft.

Earlier votes: moratorium, ban on NDAs with data center developers
Hundreds testified against the Verrus project and other AI data centers
Resolution opponents, including business groups, warn of uncertainty for developers

Sources: Salem Reporter, 1430 KYKN, Touchdown Wire, Salem Business Journal

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