Social Circle council members unanimously approve new data center complex

The Social Circle City Council in Georgia unanimously approved a new data center complex covering over 450 acres along Fairplay Drive and Roy Malcom Road. The approval, which included annexation, rezoning, special-use permitting, and a future land use map amendment, signifies a green light for a development expected to feature more than 2 million square feet of data center space. This decision marks the first set of zoning actions by the council since a moratorium on data center requests ended on January 27. The moratorium was enacted late last year due to a surge in data center applications and concerns regarding water and electricity consumption, as well as limited employment opportunities. Following the moratorium, the council adopted comprehensive new regulations for data centers, including strict noise and lighting limits, requirements for emergency drills, time limits on special-use permits without construction progress, and mandatory special-use permitting even in heavy industrial zones. The most recent approval for a 123-acre tract at 1402 Roy Malcom Road also includes conditions such as single-story buildings, no hidden utility costs for the city, and required road improvements by the developer. Thomas & Hutton, an engineering firm representing the owner, indicated that a data center operator has been identified, with construction possibly beginning this fall.