Aurora City Council to discuss data center regulations, business permits
The Aurora City Council is set to discuss and vote on new regulations for data centers, including a potential moratorium on new development applications until these rules are established. Proposed regulations aim to mitigate neighborhood impacts and include banning evaporative cooling and establishing land-use requirements like setbacks and buffers.
The Aurora City Council is scheduled to hold a study session and regular meeting on Monday evening to discuss and vote on new regulations concerning data center development within the city. During the regular meeting, council members are expected to vote on a resolution that would establish a moratorium, directing the city manager to implement new rules for data centers.
Until these regulations are finalized, the city would cease accepting new or expanded data center development applications. Council documents indicate the city's intent to ensure data center applications are consistently considered within the city's development goals, addressing potential impacts on surrounding areas.
Among the proposed regulations are prohibitions on evaporative cooling methods and the enactment of land-use requirements, such as setbacks and buffers, designed to lessen adverse effects on neighborhoods. The meetings, which also include discussions on a socioeconomic impact permit for businesses targeting low-income communities, will be held in the Paul Tauer Aurora City Council Chamber and livestreamed online.