Council discusses data center ban ahead of October vote
Suffolk City Council is scheduled to consider an ordinance that would prohibit data centers as a principal use in every zoning district. The proposed citywide ban would also prevent developers from using warehouse classifications to establish data centers, while officials debate broader rules for noise, water use, environmental impacts and infrastructure.
Suffolk City Council is set to consider a proposed citywide data center prohibition on Oct. 21 after the Planning Commission recommended approval of zoning amendments. The changes would define data centers as a distinct land use and exclude them from warehouse, distribution and related classifications.
Planning and Community Development Director Kevin Wyne said the ordinance is intended to prevent data centers from being established under existing warehouse rules, while allowing ordinary server rooms that support another business or government operation. Mayor Mike Duman backed an immediate ban and urged the city to examine future restrictions on noise, water consumption, environmental effects and infrastructure capacity. City Attorney William E. Hutchings Jr. cautioned that state lawmakers could later impose uniform requirements on local governments.