DeKalb Commission defers data center legislation until June

The DeKalb County Commission, during its May 12 meeting, deferred proposed legislation regarding zoning regulations for data centers until its June 23 agenda. This marks another postponement for the ordinance, which aims to establish comprehensive land-use regulations for data centers within the county, including requirements for permitted locations, architectural standards, and studies on noise, water, and energy consumption. Deputy Planning Director Rachel Bragg explained that the legislation would limit data centers primarily to industrial zoning districts, require a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) for facilities over 100,000 square feet, and mandate minimum distance requirements from residential areas, parks, and trails. The draft also calls for numerous studies and annual reports on environmental impacts, sustainability, and decommissioning plans. Commissioner Ted Terry introduced a resolution to cap developments at 500,000 square feet and require incentives for 100 percent renewable energy. Several DeKalb County residents, including the DeKalb Citizens Coalition formed by Gina Mangham, Jan Dunaway, Jackie Malcom, Roslind McIntyre, and Donna Priest-Brown, spoke in strong opposition. They advocated for health and environmental impact studies, restricting developments to small, single-structure data centers, and mandating facilities be at least one mile apart. Concerns about the county's water and sewer systems' capacity to handle data center demands were prominent, with residents like Clare Schexnyder highlighting potential water shortages. Mangham also suggested a two-year moratorium as the only other acceptable option. Residents cited examples from other communities, such as Fayetteville, Georgia, where a data center used millions of gallons of water without proper billing. Opposition also drew parallels to Loudoun County, Virginia, which, despite economic diversification, faces power grid strains and noise complaints from its numerous data centers. Community members, including Tina Ross and Renee Cail of Citizens for a Healthy and Safe Environment, urged the commission to listen to their concerns and prevent large data centers from impacting overburdened and underserved communities.