Gainesboro Limits Data Facilities To Industrial Zones
Gainesboro has passed the first reading of an ordinance to restrict data processing facilities to industrial zones, citing concerns over infrastructure and resource strain, especially water availability. This move follows Jackson County's enactment of an 18-month moratorium on data centers while officials study their viability and potential impacts. Town officials also seek to avoid potential lawsuits by enacting these preventative measures and requiring environmental impact studies from developers.
The town of Gainesboro has approved the first reading of an ordinance designed to restrict data processing facilities to industrial zones. The measure aims to safeguard the town's existing infrastructure and resources, particularly its limited water supply, from being over-extended by high-demand data centers.
Alderman Tom Goetz emphasized that the ordinance serves as a protective 'hedge' for the city, noting that Gainesboro currently lacks sufficient water resources to support data centers. The new regulation will also mandate comprehensive environmental and impact studies from developers seeking to build such facilities.
Alderman Deborah Whittaker highlighted that Jackson County has already enacted an 18-month moratorium on data centers to allow officials to study the feasibility of providing water to these facilities and assess their overall community impact. Mayor Lloyd Williams confirmed that the town attorney advised that either a moratorium or zoning restriction was crucial to prevent potential lawsuits and facilitate further study, with a local sound specialist offering assistance for environmental impact research. The Gainesboro Regional Planning Commission recommended the zoning change, referencing issues in other areas where data centers attempted to draw water directly from rivers, leading to legal challenges.
The ordinance requires a second reading before it can be officially adopted into the town's zoning code, signifying an ongoing legislative process to establish these new restrictions.