SK Council moves ahead with restrictions on potential data centers
The South Kingstown Town Council unanimously approved an ordinance that prohibits data centers as a principal use in the town unless a property owner obtains a difficult use variance or zoning amendment. Officials cited the facilities’ potential electricity and water demands, particularly amid local drought and supply concerns.
The South Kingstown Town Council unanimously approved new zoning restrictions that effectively prohibit data centers as a principal use throughout the Rhode Island town. The ordinance would require developers to obtain a use variance or pursue a zoning amendment, with Town Lawyer Amy Goins saying the variance standard would require proving that a property would otherwise lose all beneficial use.
The measure was proposed by council Vice President Michael Marran and had previously been approved by the town Planning Board. Marran and council member Deb Bergner supported the restrictions, citing data centers’ substantial electricity consumption, potential effects on consumer rates and heavy water use for cooling. Officials said the policy does not permanently close the door to data centers because the zoning rules could later be changed, but it blocks them under current regulations.