ET Council looks over draft for data center ordinance
The East Tawas City Council reviewed a draft data center ordinance that seeks to establish regulatory requirements for data centers, including parameters for noise and generators. This draft is intended to address concerns about data center operations, particularly regarding noise levels. The ordinance will be sent back to the East Tawas Planning Commission for a public hearing before further action.
The East Tawas City Council, during its August 6 meeting, began reviewing a draft ordinance specifically addressing data centers. East Tawas Zoning Administrator Stephanie Loew presented the draft, explaining that the Planning Commission initiated the ordinance due to increasing discussions and information surrounding data center development.
Loew noted that while the city's current ordinance permits data centers in industrial and light industrial zones, there are no specific regulatory requirements for their operation. The proposed draft aims to fill this gap, incorporating regulations for issues such as noise and generator use. Mayor Bruce Bolen highlighted concerns about constant humming from data centers, referencing a bitcoin mining operation, which the new regulations intend to mitigate.
According to Loew, the ordinance would primarily affect a small, triangular area on West Westover Street, suggesting that any data centers established there would likely be smaller or accessory uses. The council's review is an initial step, with the draft set to return to the East Tawas Planning Commission for a public hearing before any further action is taken.