Boise Mayor McLean Halts Big Data Center Plans to Study Local Impact

Boise residents will not face new mega data centers in their neighborhoods immediately, but Mayor Lauren McLean says the city should not wait for a specific project to arrive to define its rules. McLean announced a plan to pause development of facilities larger than 100,000 square feet or those requiring more than 20 megawatts of power. This temporary stop would give city officials time to study environmental and economic impacts before approving any large-scale construction.

The move responds to a trend in neighboring Idaho communities rather than a pending application in Boise. No large data centers are currently proposed within city limits. However, developers have recently pursued major projects nearby. One proposal south of Boise seeks nearly 3,700 acres of federal land for a 4 million-square-foot facility. In Kuna, Meta already operates a data center. Leaders in Pocatello recently rejected a similar large-scale proposal. McLean stated these nearby developments prompted her to act before Boise faces the same decisions under pressure.

McLean described the pause as a preemptive measure. She told Idaho News 6 that she did not want residents asking later why the city waited until a project was already proposed. The six-month window is designed to allow for a detailed review of local infrastructure needs. The city will examine how much water and electricity new facilities would consume. It will also assess the noise levels and the number of permanent jobs such projects would create for Boise workers.

The proposal distinguishes data centers from other major industrial expansions. Boise supports Micron Technology’s multi-billion-dollar semiconductor project, which also requires substantial water and power. McLean emphasized that Micron is creating high-paying local jobs and investing in the community. She noted that while both industries strain resources, the economic benefits of manufacturing differ from those of data storage. The city intends to determine if data centers offer similar long-term value to residents.

Residents will have a voice during the pause. McLean said part of the six-month period will involve public conversations to gather feedback on what protections Boiseans want. The mayor also urged the state government to create clearer guidelines. She argued that local communities need better tools to evaluate large industrial developments on their own terms. This approach aims to balance growth with community stability.

The Boise City Council will hold a public hearing on the moratorium on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Officials will consider whether to approve the pause during that session. The decision will set the timeline for how the city evaluates future industrial projects that meet the size and power thresholds.