Clinton data center ordinance goes back to drawing board
The Clinton City Planning Commission decided to send a proposed data center ordinance back for revisions after dozens of residents expressed opposition. The ordinance aims to regulate future data centers in the city, with QTS having previously eyed the area for a large project. City staff will now make changes to address concerns before it goes to the City Council.
The Clinton City Planning Commission has decided not to advance a proposed data center ordinance to the City Council at this time, following a special meeting where dozens of residents voiced their opposition.
The ordinance, intended to establish regulations for future data centers within Clinton city limits, will now be revised by city employees. Currently, Clinton lacks specific regulations for data centers, even as companies like QTS have shown interest in developing large projects on the city's west side.
Concerns raised by the public included the need for mandatory language in the ordinance rather than permissive terms, the environmental impact of closed-loop cooling systems and potential chemical discharge into wastewater, and insufficient setback requirements for hyperscale data centers. While some residents called for stricter measures like 2000-foot setbacks, labor unions argued that the proposed language unfairly targets the AI industry, imposing stricter requirements than other local businesses.
The City's Attorney acknowledged that while the ordinance does not prohibit data centers, it is designed to make it challenging for them to establish a presence in Clinton. The revised ordinance must pass the Planning Commission before it can be considered by the City Council.