UPDATE: Walker Co. data center study group talks lighting, noise, water in recent meeting
Walker County’s data center study committee is drafting regulations that would limit future facilities to industrial-zoned areas and impose requirements for noise, lighting, water use, environmental protections, and permanent construction. County commissioners have extended a moratorium on data center permits in unincorporated areas through February 2, 2027, while the committee prepares recommendations for the Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners.
Walker County’s Data Center Development Standards Study Committee has reviewed eight sections of a draft ordinance addressing future data center development. Proposed standards include closed-loop cooling systems, groundwater monitoring, permanent buildings instead of shipping containers, downward-facing lighting, noise limits, buffers and greenspace, acoustic testing, and long-term retention of developer records.
The committee is also considering restricting facilities to industrial-zoned areas and creating an industrial park for potential development. Members cited concerns about electricity and water consumption, environmental effects, rural nighttime glare, noise, property values and tax abatements. County officials said an outright ban would not be legally viable, but commissioners have extended a moratorium on data center permits in unincorporated Walker County through February 2, 2027.
The committee is scheduled to discuss backup generators and decommissioning surety bonds before sending its recommendations to the county Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners in December 2026.