Floyd County Commission Approves Data Center Ordinance

The Floyd County Board of Commissioners has approved a new ordinance that establishes zoning and development standards for future data center proposals within unincorporated Floyd County, Georgia. The measure, passed at their August 25 meeting, aims to provide a comprehensive framework for evaluating data center projects and ensuring developer responsibility throughout the facilities' operating lives and decommissioning.

Under the new ordinance, data centers will only be permitted in Heavy Industrial zoning districts and must comply with stringent requirements. These include detailed specifications for noise levels, utility capacity, water consumption, environmental effects, and emergency preparedness. Developers are mandated to submit impact studies for power, water, and broadband, and secure written confirmation from utility providers regarding adequate capacity. The ordinance prioritizes closed-loop cooling systems and prohibits the use of private wells or direct surface-water withdrawals, requiring all facilities to utilize public sewer services.

Further stipulations address noise control, mandating acoustic studies, sound-reducing walls for generators, and limits on property-line noise levels, especially when adjoining residential areas. Setback requirements of at least 600 feet from existing residences and 300 feet with landscaped buffers next to residential or agricultural zones are also established. Developers must also provide a decommissioning plan and a financial guarantee to cover site restoration upon facility closure, addressing common resident concerns and ensuring long-term accountability.