Floyd County Commission to vote on data center ordinance on Tuesday
The Floyd County Commission is expected to vote on a proposed amendment to its data center ordinance. The new regulations would restrict data centers to Heavy Industrial zoning districts and impose strict standards regarding noise, utility usage, environmental impact, and setbacks. Developers would also be required to submit impact studies and a decommissioning plan with financial guarantees.
The Floyd County Commission is slated to vote on a significant amendment to its data center ordinance following a public hearing on Tuesday. The proposed regulations, which were unanimously recommended by the Rome-Floyd County Planning Commission, aim to limit data center development exclusively to Heavy Industrial zoning districts and establish comprehensive safeguards.
The new rules address common community concerns by imposing strict noise limits, requiring sound-reducing construction materials, and mandating a minimum 600-foot setback from residential properties. Developers would be required to submit detailed acoustic studies, as well as power, water, and broadband internet impact studies. Facilities exceeding 10 megawatts would also need an energy and sustainability plan.
Environmental protections include prioritizing closed-loop water cooling systems, requiring water reclamation for water-cooled equipment, prohibiting private wells and direct surface water connections, and imposing dark-sky-compatible outdoor lighting standards. The ordinance also mandates detailed emergency response plans, performance and emission controls for backup generators, and requires a decommissioning plan with a financial guarantee to ensure site restoration upon closure.