Kent County Regional Planning Commission Approves Data Center Regulations

The Kent County Regional Planning Board has unanimously passed a draft ordinance introducing new regulations for data center development within the county. The regulations, initially drafted by The Kent Economic Partnership, aim to establish clear guidelines and mitigate potential impacts of data center construction.

Commissioner Glenn Gauvry emphasized that the ordinance is designed to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of county citizens by imposing explicit conditions where none previously existed. The rules specify limitations on where data centers can be built, required distances from streets, and measures to prevent light, sound, and the low-frequency "hum" pollution associated with such facilities.

Chairman William Jester highlighted the benefit of having these clear rules on record, noting that without them, the county would lack a framework for permitted uses and could face repeated conflicts over individual projects. Although a data center project has been considered for the former Harrington Logistics property, no application has yet been filed with the county.

Following the planning commission's unanimous approval, the proposed regulations will now be forwarded to the Kent County Levy Court for final authorization, marking a significant step towards establishing a regulatory framework for data centers in Kent County.