Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission recommends data center regulations

The Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended a city proposal that defines what a data center is and limits their construction to industrial districts. Data center projects would have to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in public hearings if the Columbia City Council adopts the commission's recommendation. This is the first step in a two-step process of regulating construction of data centers in Columbia to help reduce possible negative outcomes associated with data centers, like strain on local utilities.