Aurora council moves forward with data center regulations
The Aurora City Council approved advancing new regulations for data centers, including a ban on evaporative cooling and changes to the zoning code. These measures address water conservation concerns and define appropriate zones for data center development. The council also requested proposals for additional regulations concerning setbacks, noise, and physical screening.
The Aurora City Council has voted to advance two new regulations impacting data center development within the city, following a directive in early August to update development standards. The first regulation, which will proceed to an official council vote, proposes a ban on evaporative cooling mechanisms for data centers due to their inefficient water use and the city's growing concerns about water supply.
Concurrently, the council moved forward with a zoning code amendment that would permit data centers in medium-industrial and business-tech zones, while prohibiting them in mixed-use office and institutional zones that house schools and assisted living facilities. This zoning change will undergo review by a planning commission before a final council vote later this year.
During a recent study session, council members also instructed staff to develop further proposals addressing various aspects of data center regulation, including setbacks, noise limits, and physical screening requirements. Additionally, staff were asked to consider differentiating regulations based on data center size, acknowledging the distinction between large-scale facilities and smaller operations located within existing buildings.