Decatur council passes data center zoning restrictions
The Decatur City Council approved new zoning restrictions for data centers, limiting them to industrial districts and requiring a special exception use permit. This ordinance necessitates a public hearing and council recommendation before developers can seek approval from the Board of Zoning Adjustments. The move comes as developers express interest in north Alabama, but also amid environmental concerns raised by some council members.
The Decatur City Council voted 4-1 to approve zoning restrictions for data centers, limiting their development to industrial zoning districts. This ordinance designates data centers as a "special exception use," requiring developers to obtain a variance from the Board of Zoning Adjustments (BOZA).
Under the new rules, a proposed data center must first undergo a public hearing before the City Council and receive a council recommendation before proceeding to BOZA. Council President Kyle Pike noted that a BOZA denial could be appealed to the Morgan County Circuit Court, and Councilman Carlton McMasters emphasized that this process ensures elected officials have a role in the decision-making.
While the ordinance does not restrict the size of data centers in industrial settings or require their power sources to be enclosed, Councilman Terrance Adkins voted against the proposal due to environmental concerns. Planning Director Chad Bowman's initial draft, which would have restricted data center size or required internal power generation, was modified after objections from Councilman Barry Bullard, who argued it would deter developers. A local commercial real estate agent, Phillip Chenault, informed the council that data center developers are actively seeking locations in north Alabama, including large sites requiring significant acreage and infrastructure to generate their own electricity.