Chesapeake city council unanimously approves data center zoning ordinance
The Chesapeake City Council unanimously approved a data center zoning ordinance after months of discussion and resident opposition. This ordinance introduces new protections and restrictions for data center development in the city. An existing eight-month moratorium on new data center permits remains in effect.
The Chesapeake City Council unanimously approved a data center zoning ordinance on Tuesday, following months of public discussion and resident opposition. The new ordinance aims to introduce more protections for data center development within the city.
Initial suggestions for regulating data centers included restricting their placement to specific areas, mandating air filters, and ensuring they are located away from businesses and residential zones. Councilwoman Nuenke (transcribed as Nuent) supported a third version of the ordinance, stating it "closes the buy right use in Chesapeake" and continues discussions during an eight-month moratorium.
The existing eight-month moratorium on new data center permits remains in effect, meaning no new data center applications can be processed during this period. Jeff Staples, an advocate for establishing clear boundaries for data center development, expressed a desire for these provisions to apply city-wide. Data center development has been identified as a major issue for voters in upcoming local elections.