Community backlash over data center ordinance

The Birmingham City Council recently approved a new data center ordinance, prompting significant community backlash. Hundreds of residents packed a public hearing at Birmingham City Hall, urging leaders not to pass the ordinance, citing concerns over noise, water usage, power demands, and the proximity of massive facilities to residential neighborhoods.

Speakers from across the area argued that the new ordinance would limit public input on future data center projects by removing the "special exception" process, which previously guaranteed citizens the right to a public hearing and to present evidence. Council President Jordan Alexander was among the three members who voted against the ordinance, stating that Birmingham residents deserve a voice in decisions impacting their neighborhoods, infrastructure, and quality of life.

Despite the opposition, city staff maintained that the city lacks the authority to outright ban data centers and can only regulate them. They claim the new ordinance, which passed in a 6-3 vote, includes 20 protections covering setbacks, buffers, water use, noise, and power generation, making it one of the nation's strongest data center ordinances. However, under the new rules, hyperscale data centers complying with these protections would not require a public hearing.