Aldermen Weigh Regulations On Data Centers, Marijuana Facilities

The Brentwood Board of Aldermen held two public hearings at its April 6 meeting to discuss proposed changes to the city's zoning code, specifically addressing data centers and marijuana facilities. The proposed bill for data centers would regulate their construction for the first time, designating them as a conditional use within the city's light industrial district. Whitney Kelly, Brentwood's Director of Planning and Development, explained that the amendment aims to proactively establish regulations for data centers, which are currently in a legal "gray area" without specific city oversight, according to City Attorney Jim Hetlage. Under the proposed ordinance, data center applicants would need to obtain conditional use permits and meet various requirements, including pre- and post-build studies, sound standards, lighting, parking, and ongoing monitoring. Aldermen Sonny Sims and Jeff Gould inquired about the scope of the new regulations, with Kelly clarifying that the designation for data centers would implicitly prohibit them in other zoning areas, except for individual businesses with small server installations. The Board conducted a first reading of the bill and is scheduled to hold a second reading and vote on April 20.