Kent County moves to regulate future data center development
Kent County, Delaware, is proactively establishing new zoning regulations for future data center development to address concerns like noise, buffering, setbacks, and environmental impacts. The Kent County Regional Planning Commission unanimously recommended the ordinance, which will now move to the Kent County Levy Court for a public hearing and final vote on July 21. Residents expressed opposition, citing concerns about electricity demand, limited jobs, and environmental strain.
The Kent County Regional Planning Commission in Delaware has unanimously recommended a new zoning ordinance, LC26-06, aimed at regulating future data center development within the county. This proactive measure seeks to establish clear standards for where data centers may be built, limiting them to Limited Industrial and General Industrial districts, and instituting requirements concerning noise, buffering, and setbacks. The commission's intent is to create a robust regulatory framework before any specific data center proposals are submitted, preventing a reactive approach.
The move comes as neighboring New Castle County faced significant public scrutiny over "Project Washington," a proposed 1.2-gigawatt data center campus that raised concerns about electricity demand, reliance on diesel generators, and environmental impact, leading to the denial of an air quality permit by state regulators. This prior experience prompted New Castle County to adopt its own data center zoning regulations earlier this year.
During the Kent County meeting, several residents, including Melissa Wernersbach and Brittany Williams of Dover, voiced strong opposition. They argued that data centers consume vast amounts of electricity, offer limited permanent employment, and place undue strain on local communities and infrastructure. Concerns were also raised regarding low-frequency noise, vibration from cooling equipment, and potential impacts on groundwater and the electric grid.
Despite the public opposition, commissioners emphasized that their recommendation does not authorize construction but rather provides essential "tools" for evaluating future applications. The proposed ordinance will now advance to the Kent County Levy Court for a public hearing and a final vote scheduled for July 21.