Ascension Parish Council postpones vote on proposed data center regulations
The Ascension Parish Council postponed discussion of proposed data center regulations until its Oct. 15 meeting. The proposed rules would require data centers to be at least a half-mile from homes, schools, hospitals and churches, amid resident concerns about noise, property values, energy infrastructure and water resources.
The Ascension Parish Council delayed consideration of data center regulations after residents raised concerns about noise, property values and the potential proximity of facilities to homes, schools, hospitals and churches. The rules proposed by the Ascension Parish Planning and Zoning Commission would establish a half-mile buffer from those properties.
Parish officials said no specific data center project is awaiting approval, but Councilman Joel Rober said data center operators have contacted the parish about a potential site near Highway 22 and Highway 44 in Sorrento, close to the Pelican Point and Ascension Trace subdivisions. Rober said he favors locating any future facility away from populated areas and protecting the parish's energy and water infrastructure. The proposed regulations are expected to return for a council vote on Oct. 15.