Columbia could limit or ban data centers at McGinness Innovation Park
Columbia Borough Council is considering a zoning ordinance amendment that could limit or ban data centers at the borough-owned McGinness Innovation Park. This follows strong public opposition that led to the rejection of a data center proposal from Saadia Holding LLC. The proposed changes would address impacts like noise, vibration, and water usage.
The Columbia Borough Council is actively working to establish new rules governing data center development at the 41-acre McGinness Innovation Park, potentially leading to significant limitations or an outright ban. On Tuesday, the council voted 7-0 to table a second request for proposals for the property, delaying the process until the June 23 meeting to allow for further progress on the proposed zoning ordinance amendment.
This decision comes just two weeks after the council rejected a proposal that included a data center, following a meeting where over 300 residents turned out and nearly 40 spoke against the project. Council Vice President Heather Zink indicated that the amendment seeks to protect the community by addressing concerns such as noise, vibration, and water usage, and may require developers to undergo public conditional use hearings. The changes could also eliminate data centers as a permitted use in the light business zone where the park is located.
A draft of the ordinance is expected to be reviewed by the council on June 23 and then sent to the county planning commission for a 45-day review period. A public hearing would follow, with the ordinance likely to be in effect before any new development plans could be submitted. Resident Kathy Embleton urged the council to ban data centers in the light business district and require zoning hearings for them in the general industrial district, emphasizing the need for robust protections.