MoCo Moves Forward With Data Center Ordinance
The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners completed a first reading of a proposed ordinance that will impose strict restrictions on data center development within the county. The ordinance, driven by concerns over potential data center construction and its environmental and community impacts, includes requirements for application fees, community meetings, environmental impact analyses, and specific design and operational stipulations. One commissioner expressed concerns that the ordinance might not be sufficient to deter developers and suggested that enacting zoning could be a more effective measure to prevent data centers.
The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners held the first reading of a proposed ordinance designed to impose stringent restrictions on data center development across the county. The initiative was spurred by Commissioner Amie Vassey after an inquiry about land for a potential data center, specifically parcels 036-12 and 036-13, currently owned by Georgia Transmission/Georgia Power, near Braddy Road and Hilton Memory Road.
Commissioner Vassey raised concerns about the potential negative impacts of data centers, including noise, vibration, water usage, and their effects on public health and local agriculture. The proposed land use ordinance, developed in collaboration with the county attorney and manager, outlines numerous requirements for data center permits, such as a $10,000 application fee, extensive applicant information, a prohibition against seeking tax abatements, and a mandatory third-party environmental impact analysis. It also mandates two community meetings, strict visual and noise abatement measures, significant buffer zones from property lines and agricultural land, undisturbed acreage requirements, anti-climb fencing, and specific emergency response protocols.
During public comments and discussion, citizens Libby Hutcheson, Shawna Sheehan, and Adam Craft shared their perspectives, with Sheehan suggesting clearer definitions within the ordinance. Commissioner Leland Adams expressed skepticism that the ordinance alone would deter developers, advocating for comprehensive zoning as a more definitive solution to prevent data centers. Commissioner Vassey acknowledged that zoning would be more effective but noted a lack of citizen support for general zoning within the county. The ordinance will be available for public review for one month before the next Commission meeting.