Fayetteville City Council discusses ordinance for data center regulations
Fayetteville City Council is discussing a proposed ordinance to regulate future data centers, addressing community concerns about electricity and water usage. The ordinance would change data centers from a permitted to a conditional use, requiring detailed reports on their impacts. Council members are expected to vote on the proposal as early as next week.
Fayetteville city leaders are considering a new ordinance to regulate future data centers, prompted by community concerns over their potential impact on local resources, particularly electricity and water usage. The proposed ordinance, discussed during a recent agenda session, aims to establish criteria and new requirements for any data center projects in the city, even though no large-scale projects are currently proposed.
Council member Scott Berna emphasized the importance of proactive regulation to protect Fayetteville and its residents. The proposal would require developers to submit reports on water use, electricity demand, and other community impacts. It would also reclassify data centers from a permitted use to a conditional use, adding an extra step to the approval process. Discussion among council members focused on strengthening language regarding inspections, monitoring, and fire safety, as well as addressing concerns about data centers built just outside city limits using Fayetteville resources. The question of who would cover the costs of specialized reviews for future data center proposals was also raised.
The mayor's office has expressed support for the proposed ordinance. Arkansas state law prohibits outright bans on data centers but allows local governments to regulate them. Fayetteville is following a trend seen in other Arkansas cities, with Little Rock having recently approved its own ordinance setting rules for water, electricity use, noise, and community notification.