Rapid City weighs new guardrail for data centers with ordinance amendment
Rapid City leaders are considering a new ordinance amendment to establish "guardrails" for data center development. The proposed regulations aim to protect local infrastructure and residential areas by tightening limits on noise, utility demands, and required distances from homes. The amendment will proceed to city committees and the city council for votes in September.
Rapid City leaders are addressing the contentious topic of data centers with a proposed ordinance amendment. The amendment aims to implement new "guardrails" to safeguard local infrastructure and residential areas from the impacts of these energy-hungry facilities, which are fueling the artificial intelligence boom nationwide.
On Thursday morning, the Planning Commission met to discuss strengthening local safeguards, including tightening limits on noise and utility demands, and establishing required distances from residential areas. Industry representatives present at the meeting voiced some concerns but generally found the context of the ordinance solid, suggesting room for compromise. However, some community members have communicated through emails and phone calls that the proposed measures may not go far enough.
If approved by the Planning Commission, the ordinance amendment will advance to the Legal and Finance Committee for a first reading on September 16th, and then to the City Council for a final vote on September 21st.