St. Louis County holds public hearing on proposed data center regulations
St. Louis County held a public hearing on proposed regulations for data centers, with many residents advocating for a full moratorium due to environmental and health concerns. The county aims to define data centers, establish where they can be built, and set site development conditions to create a strong regulatory foundation for future projects. Public feedback is being collected, and revisions are expected before the Planning Commission votes on a recommendation.
St. Louis County held a public hearing on Monday regarding proposed regulations for data center developments, drawing nearly 20 residents, most of whom called for a complete moratorium on such projects. Although no new data center proposals are currently on the table for unincorporated St. Louis County, county leaders are proactively working to establish regulations.
Brian Underwood, an unincorporated St. Louis County resident, suggested a moratorium on permitting and zoning until the county and state could enact more robust standards. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, representing Ferguson Advocates for Civic Transparency, echoed calls for a moratorium, citing significant health and environmental concerns in North County related to radioactive contamination, sinkholes, and flood zones. She criticized the proposed regulations' language on flood zones and emphasized the need for resident voices in the process.
St. Louis County Director of Planning Jacob Trimble stated the county's goal is to define data centers, specify acceptable building locations, and set site development conditions. The proposal includes barring data centers from residential areas, parks, and floodplains, limiting them to business and industrial zones, and mandating requirements for landscaping, acoustic buffering, and setbacks. A four-tier system based on facility size is being considered, with larger facilities facing more scrutiny.
The proposed ordinance also addresses energy use, water consumption, and noise, requiring sound-absorbing walls and significant setbacks for larger facilities. It was developed with input from an advisory group, though residents like Chappelle-Nadal believe public involvement was insufficient. The county's proposal differs from the City of St. Louis's approach, particularly regarding buffer zones and tax incentives. The county is accepting written feedback, with revisions anticipated to go before the Planning Commission in September, followed by a vote from the St. Louis County Council.