HILLSBORO, Ore. — Following the City Council’s unanimous vote to enact a 120-day moratorium on new data center applications, Hillsboro City Councilor Kipperlyn Sinclair spoke with KATU News (Channel 2) to discuss what lies ahead during the pause and why she championed the effort.
Sinclair, widely recognized as a lead proponent of the moratorium, emphasized that the 120-day window must be used to gather objective, third-party data on issues the city has struggled to keep pace with as the local tech sector rapidly expands.Councilor Kipperlyn Sinclair
Prioritizing Science and Soil
For Sinclair, top priority during the pause is securing rigorous, independent studies on the overall environmental and economic impact of data centers and associated Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Key areas of concern include heavy power draw, resource consumption, chemical risks from lithium battery systems, and potential thermal consequences on local waterways like the Tualatin River.
Outside immediate utility demands, Sinclair delivered a strong defense of the region’s agricultural roots, pointing out that Washington County possesses some of the most fertile, prime agricultural soil in the nation.
“Hillsboro and Washington County used to be known for our agricultural system. Now in the era of AI… it’s data centers,” Sinclair noted. She argued that converting rich farmland into data center campuses inflicts long-term damage on the agricultural economy and ignores essential questions regarding future food security and workforce succession for local farmers.” Kipperlyn Sinclair
Employment Density vs. Tax Abatements
A central theme of Sinclair’s message constituted the mismatch between earlier economic policies and current development trends. Local enterprise zone tax abatements were originally designed to incentivize high-wage, high-density job creation through advanced manufacturing. Data centers, however, require massive land footprints while offering relatively low employment density once constructed.
“That’s not what we’re seeing now when we say advanced manufacturing,” Sinclair explained, pointing out concerns that land consumption for data centers provides a poor return on investment for the wider public good.
What Comes Next
Over the next four months, the Hillsboro City Council and Planning Commission will present a series of work sessions to review incoming study findings, quantify environmental metrics, and consider updates to city code and zoning definitions. While recognizing that council members have differing views on growth, Sinclair credited consistent public engagement for bringing the council together to pass the pause.
“Universally, data centers and BESS systems are going to impact our entire community in the era of AI,” Sinclair said, calling the issue a nonpartisan concern that touches every resident’s natural resources, land, and economic future. “First and foremost, before we can envision what happens next, we have to take care of what’s happening right now.”
Sinclair is running for County Commissioner and is in a runoff against former Hillsboro Mayor Steve Calalway, who oversaw the era in which the rules, zoning, enterprise zone, and urban renewal areas were created that have allowed most of the Data Center proliferation to happen. This campaign will be a close one, with voters needing to ask themselves who has the vision and platform to take Washington County into the future.
Excellent–Sinclair IS a proven Leader for sure–I hope the population is taking note and Will Vote! I want to add: “mismatch between earlier economic policies and current development trends” not only for Enterprise Zone Qualification–
Shows TOO in reneging on the 2014 promise that the most recent North Industrial 550-acre Jackson East addition (just beginning to be developed & sadly looking like Data Centers have a strong foothold already) Would Be For Employment. That was the qualification, to accomplish this–but in 2019 another State Level HB removed that requirement. This is in the Jackson East Master Report. Also there: due to these “well-capitalized” companies’ tendency to “Land Bank” there already is a projected shortage of Industrial Land for the next 20 years (and this was written in 2022!) and the report included other areas outside of the UGB that could be added, including North of West Union (hope everyone is aware North Hillsboro Industrial is already up to this road from Brookwood and Eastward). Therefore, We NEED new leaders at the State level also. Myrna Munoz is a strong encouragement. And Dr. Tammy Carpenter. As well as our 3 strong city council candidates.
And happened to look at the City of Hillsboro’s very recent update on their Data Center Info page yesterday. I’ve copied the text below–but here are some alarming details: 1. From June to July 100 acres were added for 2 new sites (and remember “site” = one company, it’s unknown how many buildings; as Hillsboro isn’t choosing to transparently give that information).
2. I’ve sent a message to the city as I think they didn’t update the total number of sites in July–Should be 23 (16+7). Looks like an increase from March to July from 18 to 23!!! And Remember, we don’t know how many buildings–NOR how much Land Banking acres in addition there quite likely potentially are (I asked for that info also in my message). There is an improvement as they are giving total acreage now. Easier to see some of the BIG picture.
3. See end sentences: = close to 600 acres in Data Centers total now: 570 + 22 potential they are aware of (constructed, under construction, or in for permitting). Jackson East Report states total of 1,500 acres in North Hillsboro Industrial Area–I’m not sure if that includes that 550 acres–so say 1,500-2000. Either way this is a LARGE percentage. From what they were talking about at the Data Center Code Amendment Work Session at the last City Council Meeting: 6-10% “employment land for data centers” and about 6,000 acres in Hillsboro — we SHOULD be capped with all of this. Of course, Hillsboro and the State is WELL known for going back on their “promises”. IE: the 1,700 rural acres “protected” for 50 years, yet 6 attempts in recent years to add to Industrial Land, going back on that “promise”. As I commented above, REMOVING Employment Requirement “promise”. The Jackson East Report has as one of its “Guiding Principle(s) #4: Employ a comprehensive approach to natural resource management…” One of Councilor Sinclair’s goals is to have independent environmental studies on impacts–as this Isn’t being done Well (possibly at all?). Again, another “promise” not being fulfilled.
As of March 2026, there were 18 data center sites that were either constructed or under construction in Hillsboro.
As of June 2026, three new projects submitted development applications to the City. There are now 21 data center sites that are constructed (16 sites at 346 acres), or in for permitting or under construction (5 sites at 124 acres).
As of July 21, 2026, there are 20 total data center sites that are either constructed (16 sites at 346 acres) or are in for permitting/under construction (7 sites at 224 acres). One site has now been vested through the land use process and has been moved to the “in for permitting” status from “purchased/vacant”. The City of Hillsboro has also received two additional land use applications. One site that was previously reported as two data center sites was corrected to reflect that it is one site with two buildings.
Combined these sites make up approximately 570 acres. Additionally, there are two known potential data center sites planned but not yet submitted for permits (22 acres). These numbers represent stand-alone data centers…
Impressively got a very quick reply from Hillsboro’s public information officer: Cindy Dauer Yes, error, AND they corrected already to 23 sites. In addition answer to my question, what is and isn’t subject to moratorium: “If you refer to the Data Centers in Hillsboro map, the properties in green and yellow had “vested” data center uses under the current land use rules before the moratorium. The properties in purple have not vested the use and are subject to the moratorium and potential land use code amendments. Any other potential properties that could have been used for data centers have not vested the use and will be subject to the moratorium and any potential land use code amendments. Additionally, the moratorium also temporarily halts expansion of existing data centers even on vested sites, so our team is working to carefully review details and requirements for all impacted properties.
We will share more information about this topic soon, as we know this is a question on many people’s minds.” About early August.
Excellent–Sinclair IS a proven Leader for sure–I hope the population is taking note and Will Vote!
I want to add:
“mismatch between earlier economic policies and current development trends” not only for Enterprise Zone Qualification–
Shows TOO in reneging on the 2014 promise that the most recent North Industrial 550-acre Jackson East addition (just beginning to be developed & sadly looking like Data Centers have a strong foothold already) Would Be For Employment. That was the qualification, to accomplish this–but in 2019 another State Level HB removed that requirement. This is in the Jackson East Master Report. Also there: due to these “well-capitalized” companies’ tendency to “Land Bank” there already is a projected shortage of Industrial Land for the next 20 years (and this was written in 2022!) and the report included other areas outside of the UGB that could be added, including North of West Union (hope everyone is aware North Hillsboro Industrial is already up to this road from Brookwood and Eastward). Therefore, We NEED new leaders at the State level also. Myrna Munoz is a strong encouragement. And Dr. Tammy Carpenter. As well as our 3 strong city council candidates.
And happened to look at the City of Hillsboro’s very recent update on their Data Center Info page yesterday. I’ve copied the text below–but here are some alarming details:
1. From June to July 100 acres were added for 2 new sites (and remember “site” = one company, it’s unknown how many buildings; as Hillsboro isn’t choosing to transparently give that information).
2. I’ve sent a message to the city as I think they didn’t update the total number of sites in July–Should be 23 (16+7). Looks like an increase from March to July from 18 to 23!!! And Remember, we don’t know how many buildings–NOR how much Land Banking acres in addition there quite likely potentially are (I asked for that info also in my message). There is an improvement as they are giving total acreage now. Easier to see some of the BIG picture.
3. See end sentences: = close to 600 acres in Data Centers total now: 570 + 22 potential they are aware of (constructed, under construction, or in for permitting).
Jackson East Report states total of 1,500 acres in North Hillsboro Industrial Area–I’m not sure if that includes that 550 acres–so say 1,500-2000. Either way this is a LARGE percentage. From what they were talking about at the Data Center Code Amendment Work Session at the last City Council Meeting: 6-10% “employment land for data centers” and about 6,000 acres in Hillsboro — we SHOULD be capped with all of this. Of course, Hillsboro and the State is WELL known for going back on their “promises”. IE: the 1,700 rural acres “protected” for 50 years, yet 6 attempts in recent years to add to Industrial Land, going back on that “promise”. As I commented above, REMOVING Employment Requirement “promise”. The Jackson East Report has as one of its “Guiding Principle(s) #4: Employ a comprehensive approach to natural resource management…” One of Councilor Sinclair’s goals is to have independent environmental studies on impacts–as this Isn’t being done Well (possibly at all?). Again, another “promise” not being fulfilled.
Text commented on above: https://www.hillsboro-oregon.gov/community/data-centers
Click on: How many data centers are in Hillsboro? (UPDATED 7/24), to open
As of March 2026, there were 18 data center sites that were either constructed or under construction in Hillsboro.
As of June 2026, three new projects submitted development applications to the City. There are now 21 data center sites that are constructed (16 sites at 346 acres), or in for permitting or under construction (5 sites at 124 acres).
As of July 21, 2026, there are 20 total data center sites that are either constructed (16 sites at 346 acres) or are in for permitting/under construction (7 sites at 224 acres). One site has now been vested through the land use process and has been moved to the “in for permitting” status from “purchased/vacant”. The City of Hillsboro has also received two additional land use applications. One site that was previously reported as two data center sites was corrected to reflect that it is one site with two buildings.
Combined these sites make up approximately 570 acres.
Additionally, there are two known potential data center sites planned but not yet submitted for permits (22 acres). These numbers represent stand-alone data centers…
Jackson East Final Master Plan and Implementation Strategy:
https://www.hillsboro-oregon.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/28641/637945353836400000
Impressively got a very quick reply from Hillsboro’s public information officer: Cindy Dauer
Yes, error, AND they corrected already to 23 sites.
In addition answer to my question, what is and isn’t subject to moratorium:
“If you refer to the Data Centers in Hillsboro map, the properties in green and yellow had “vested” data center uses under the current land use rules before the moratorium. The properties in purple have not vested the use and are subject to the moratorium and potential land use code amendments. Any other potential properties that could have been used for data centers have not vested the use and will be subject to the moratorium and any potential land use code amendments. Additionally, the moratorium also temporarily halts expansion of existing data centers even on vested sites, so our team is working to carefully review details and requirements for all impacted properties.
We will share more information about this topic soon, as we know this is a question on many people’s minds.” About early August.
Funny how you get quick answers. All of our inquiries apparently go through legal first. ;)