Statesboro approves data center rules in 3-1 vote after concerns over water, AI and local control

The Statesboro City Council approved new regulations for data centers in a 3-1 vote on June 2, establishing a framework for future proposals while addressing public concerns. The ordinance amends the city’s Unified Development Code, creating zoning classifications and a special use permit process, effectively requiring council approval for any data center. A key revision from earlier proposals was the prohibition of hyperscale data centers, limiting future facilities to a maximum of 50 acres.

The decision followed weeks of discussion and a public hearing where residents raised significant concerns, primarily focused on water use, power demand, environmental impact, transparency, corporate influence, and the ethical implications of AI technology. Mayor Pro Tem Shari Barr, who cast the dissenting vote, expressed continued apprehension, particularly regarding water management in closed-loop systems, and advocated for more stringent measures before opening the door to applications.

City Manager Charles Penny and Mayor Jonathan McCollar emphasized that the ordinance grants the council explicit control, allowing them to reject any future project based on its specific impact on the community's water, environment, or infrastructure. McCollar, initially hesitant, noted that visits to existing data centers, including a Meta facility, informed the council's decision to pursue a framework that prevents large-scale developments while allowing for potential economic benefits from smaller, carefully vetted projects, with all infrastructure costs borne by the developers.