City Council Holds Public Hearing to Discuss Data Centers in Rochester, Considers Amendments to City Ordinances
The Rochester City Council held a public hearing to discuss proposed amendments to city ordinances that would define data centers and potentially prohibit them in most zoning districts. The Planning Board supports the amendment, which would require a conditional use permit for data centers only in the Recycling Industrial District. A final decision by City Council is pending.
The Rochester City Council convened on August 18, 2026, for a public hearing to consider amendments to the City's General City Ordinances regarding data centers. Currently, data centers are not explicitly defined in Section 275-2.2 of the ordinances. The proposed amendment introduces a definition for data centers, including hyperscale facilities, outlining their primary use for digital data operations and associated infrastructure, while excluding accessory server rooms.
The most significant aspect of the proposed ordinance is its potential to restrict data centers from all zoning districts, with the sole exception of the Recycling Industrial District. In this specific district, a conditional use permit and site plan application would be mandatory, requiring review and approval by the Planning Board. The City's Planning Board has already reviewed and expressed its support for the amendment.
Further amendments suggested during the public hearing will necessitate additional discussion, with a final decision by the City Council anticipated at a future meeting. Mayor Chuck Grassie is scheduled to host a monthly public engagement hour on August 28, providing another opportunity for residents to offer input. The article notes that no data center proposals have been submitted to the City of Rochester to date.