Clinton updates zoning rules as billion-dollar data center rises in Hinds County
The City of Clinton, Mississippi, has unanimously voted to amend its zoning ordinance to regulate new data centers, requiring conditional use permits and restricting them to industrial zones. This proactive measure comes as Amazon's $1 billion data center is under construction in Hinds County, aiming to address concerns about noise, power consumption, and water usage.
The City of Clinton, Mississippi, is taking proactive steps to regulate data center development by amending its zoning ordinance. The Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to define data centers and require new facilities to obtain a conditional use permit, restricting their location to industrial zones only. This decision comes amidst the rapid construction of a $1 billion Amazon data center in Hinds County, which will be exempt from these new rules as it was already underway.
Alderman Lott highlighted that these changes will enable city officials to scrutinize new data centers regarding potential noise pollution, as well as their significant power and water consumption requirements. Critics have urged caution and restrictions on the rapidly growing industry, prompting the city to act to protect its citizens from potential negative impacts. The new ordinance aims to ensure that future data center projects meet specific conditions and are approved on a case-by-case basis.