Centralia leaders consider zoning changes to regulate data centers

The Centralia Board of Aldermen recently discussed a proposed ordinance aimed at regulating data center development within the city. The measure seeks to amend Centralia's zoning code to establish specific requirements for data center developers, ensuring community protection and careful management of infrastructure. Under the proposal, data centers would only be permitted in M-1 industrial districts with a conditional use permit, necessitating city approval for any project. Centralia Ward III Alderman Jessica Orsini emphasized that this ordinance would provide the city with greater control and prevent data centers from establishing themselves without community input. The proposed regulations are designed to govern the location, design, construction, expansion, and operation of data centers to protect surrounding properties, maintain municipal infrastructure capacity, and safeguard public health and safety. If approved, developers would undergo a detailed application and approval process, including submitting comprehensive site plans, project summaries outlining utility demands and construction timelines, and holding neighborhood meetings. A key component of the ordinance focuses on infrastructure impacts, requiring developers to demonstrate sufficient water and sewer capacity and to cover the costs of any necessary upgrades. This local discussion occurs amidst broader debates over data center development in mid-Missouri. In neighboring Montgomery County, two proposed data center projects have faced considerable public opposition due to concerns about water usage, energy demand, and impacts on rural communities. This pushback escalated into a lawsuit filed in December 2025 by the local group Preserve Montgomery County against the Missouri Department of Economic Development and Montgomery County, citing a lack of transparency in the approval process. The Centralia Board of Aldermen has not yet taken final action on its proposed ordinance, with further discussion scheduled for May 18.