Proposed ordinance would regulate data centers in city
The Decatur Planning Commission recommended a proposed zoning text amendment to the City Council that would regulate data centers, including a controversial 10,000-square-foot size limit. The amendment aims to control data center development, addressing concerns about environmental impact, water, power consumption, and noise. This comes as the Morgan County Commission recently enacted a one-year moratorium on data centers, highlighting regional concerns.
Decatur Planning Director Chad Bowman presented a proposed zoning text amendment to the Planning Commission this week, aiming to regulate data center development within the city. The amendment seeks to impose limits on building size, mandate enclosure for equipment and generators, and introduce mitigation measures for fire protection, water, power consumption, noise, and hazardous waste. This initiative comes amidst broader regional discussions, with the Morgan County Commission recently enacting a one-year moratorium on data centers, influenced by a company considering a data center in nearby Somerville.
A key point of contention in the proposed amendment is a restrictive 10,000-square-foot size limit for data centers, which Planning Commissioner Barry Bullard argued would effectively "outlaw" larger data centers. Bowman acknowledged that most modern data centers exceed this size but suggested developers could seek variances from the Board of Zoning Appeals. He noted the proposal would allow for "micro-data centers" and ancillary support services, emphasizing potential economic benefits through community development agreements without significant community impact.
The proposed amendment would classify data centers as a "special exception use" in office mixed-use, light industrial, and major employment center planned development zoning districts. This change would require data center projects in industrial zones to seek a variance from the city's Board of Zoning Adjustment, providing the city an opportunity to review plans regarding energy resources and potential utility strain. The Planning Commission ultimately voted 5-2 to recommend the amendment to the City Council, with Bullard and Larry Waye dissenting.