Proposed zoning update would restrict future data centers on water, electric, noise
Montgomery County, Tennessee, is considering new zoning regulations that would restrict future data center developments based on water and electricity consumption, as well as noise levels. The proposed update by the Building and Codes Department aims to address data centers specifically, as they were previously classified broadly as industrial, and would require a resource plan to be approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
The Montgomery County Building and Codes Department in Clarksville, Tennessee, has proposed a significant update to zoning regulations that would impose new restrictions on future data center developments. The proposed rules aim to address specific concerns regarding water usage, electricity consumption, and noise levels, as data centers were previously not explicitly covered in county or city zoning and were often categorized simply as industrial or warehouse facilities.
Jeff Tyndall, Director of the Regional Planning Commission (RPC), stated that the update reflects changing technology and the need to categorize data centers as their own entity due to their high resource demands. Under the proposed changes, data centers would be limited to M-1 or M-2 industrial zones and would require a comprehensive resource plan for electric, water, and sewer usage, which must be approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals before moving to the Planning Commission. Additionally, the update aligns with a recent state law preventing local utilities from passing data center infrastructure costs to ratepayers.
While Montgomery County was an early adopter, hosting a Google data center since 2019, current electrical and water infrastructure cannot support another "mega center." Tyndall highlighted that the biggest nuisances are noise and utility usage, which the new regulations aim to mitigate. The RPC will also add a specific definition for data centers and include a unique requirement for a noise plan to address the constant hum from cooling and mechanical systems. If the county passes the update, similar language is expected to be adopted by the city. The next RPC meeting is scheduled for Friday at 8:30 a.m. at their Main Street office.