Edgewater adopts permanent ban on data centers
Edgewater unanimously adopted a permanent ordinance banning data centers and similar high-energy facilities from receiving development orders, permits or land-use approvals. City officials cited overdevelopment, flooding, natural-resource use and community concerns, while a future ballot question could add similar restrictions to the city charter.
The Edgewater City Council unanimously approved a permanent ban on data centers, artificial intelligence data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities at its Sept. 14 meeting. The ordinance prevents such facilities from receiving development orders, permits or related land-use approvals and bars the city from processing or reviewing applications. Exemptions include server rooms supporting other permitted uses, government emergency communications facilities and certain existing utilities and telecommunications facilities.
Mayor Diezel DePew and council members said the measure responds to resident concerns about overdevelopment, flooding, resource consumption and uncertain health effects. Councilmember Eric Rainbird said the ordinance was adopted before a possible November charter vote to prevent a data center company from submitting an application during the election period; voters may still decide whether to place similar language in the city charter.