Floyd County Approves Stricter Rules for Data Centers

The Floyd County Commission has approved a new set of regulations aimed at governing future data center development within the county. These comprehensive rules mandate that data centers must be located exclusively in areas zoned as Heavy Industrial and adhere to strict criteria covering noise levels, water and power consumption, environmental protection, safety measures, and future property cleanup.

Brice Wood, the Rome-Floyd County Planning Director, highlighted that non-compliance with these regulations could lead to daily fines of up to $1,000, with persistent violations potentially resulting in the suspension or revocation of business licenses or certificates of occupancy. Developers are now required to submit detailed studies on a project's anticipated impact on electricity, water, sewer, and broadband services before obtaining permits, alongside confirmation from utility providers that sufficient capacity is available.

The ordinance specifically addresses noise, establishing limits and requiring sound-reduction measures in buildings, particularly those near residential areas, and mandating setbacks from homes. Water conservation is also a key focus, encouraging developers to implement closed-loop cooling systems and water-reclamation systems for water-cooled equipment, while prohibiting private wells and septic systems. Additional requirements cover lighting, landscaping, fencing, emergency response, fire protection, and backup generators. Developers must also provide a decommissioning plan and financial guarantees to cover facility removal and property restoration costs upon closure. The new rules were approved after a public hearing, where some residents expressed a desire for even stronger restrictions, though Wood noted the challenges faced by outright bans in other states.