Q&A: DeKalb County CEO answers data center questions

DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has initiated a comprehensive, multi-departmental review into the potential impacts of data center development, following a directive from the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners. This review aligns with an extended moratorium on new data center applications, which will now remain in effect until March 30, 2027. The decision to extend the moratorium was made by commissioners on July 7, marking almost a year since the initial ban was approved, and came as a surprise after the board had rejected planning staff's draft text amendment for regulating data centers in June.

The county CEO has tasked various departments, including Watershed Management, Public Safety, Transportation, Roads & Drainage, and Public Health, with evaluating data centers' effects on water usage, sewer capacity, emergency response, infrastructure, environmental concerns, and human health. The Planning & Sustainability department continues its work on zoning and land-use evaluations. Cochran-Johnson emphasized that her role is to provide thorough analysis and sound planning to the Board of Commissioners, who will ultimately decide the policy direction for data center development in the county.

Responding to criticisms regarding the independence of these studies, Cochran-Johnson affirmed the value of internal departmental expertise, stating that these "front-line" individuals understand DeKalb's operational realities. She also noted that the county is consulting external experts, reviewing regional data, and incorporating public engagement through town halls to ensure a balanced and transparent process. The overarching goal is to establish a regulatory framework that protects residents and ensures long-term success for DeKalb County.