Marana approves data center regulations amid community pushback
Marana approved new data center regulations that impose noise limits near neighborhoods and require decommissioning plans for facilities built within town limits. Community members criticized the rules as insufficient and called for a moratorium, while officials said the regulations are intended to reduce the projects’ effects on residents.
The Marana Town Council approved new regulations for data centers by a 5-1 vote after months of public debate. The rules include noise limits near residential neighborhoods and decommissioning requirements for data centers constructed within the town. Future projects will have to comply with the regulations before receiving approval.
The debate comes as Marana considers additional data center development. A rezoning request for one facility near Luckett Road has already been approved, and a second project application has been submitted to the council. Resident Sue Ritz and other community members argued that the regulations do not go far enough and urged the town to impose a moratorium while officials conduct further study.