Augusta zoning rewrite gets more funding for maps, meetings and outreach
Augusta city commissioners approved nearly $70,000 in additional funding to complete a long-delayed zoning ordinance rewrite. This rewrite will include new rules specifically governing future data center development, and the Planning and Development Department will host three more public meetings to gather community input on these changes. The overall zoning ordinance has not been comprehensively updated since 1963.
Augusta, Georgia, city commissioners have voted 7-3 to approve nearly $70,000 in additional funding for consultants White & Smith, LLC, to complete a comprehensive rewrite of the city's zoning ordinance. This ordinance, which has not been updated since 1963, will now incorporate new rules specifically for data center development. The approval follows previous delays and a budget cut last year.
The additional funds will cover work like updating maps and expanding community outreach, including three more public meetings hosted by Augusta’s Planning and Development Department to gather input on the proposed data center regulations. While the new data center rules are being handled through a separate ordinance, both efforts are proceeding on parallel tracks. Commissioner Cameron indicated the $68,368 is an upper limit, not a guaranteed expenditure.
Commissioners Tony Lewis, Tina Slendak, and Brandon Garrett voted against the additional funds. Other items approved by commissioners included additional work for an auditing firm investigating the Housing and Community Development Department, and partnership agreements with United Way and Paine College.