Augusta releases final draft of proposed data center ordinance
Augusta officials have released the final draft of a proposed data center ordinance, which is set for adoption by commissioners within a week. The ordinance establishes rules for future data center projects, including categorization by size, minimum distance requirements from residences, and specific noise limits for day and night operations.
Augusta officials have released the final draft of a proposed data center ordinance, which outlines regulations for future data center projects within the city. The ordinance is expected to be adopted by the Augusta Commissioners within the week.
The new draft addresses key concerns such as project size, proximity to residential areas, and noise levels. It categorizes data centers into five sizes, from small setups under 2,000 square feet to campuses exceeding 500,000 square feet. The largest projects would only be permitted in heavy industrial zones and would require a public hearing for approval.
Regarding distance, the ordinance proposes a 500-foot buffer between data centers and residential properties, which can be reduced to 300 feet if the company constructs a visual barrier like a mound or trees. Noise limits are set at 65 decibels during the day and 60 decibels at night, with a comparison made to two people talking in a living room and a running dishwasher, respectively.