Suggested regulations would limit data-center growth
Taylor’s Planning and Zoning Commission recommended Land Development Code amendments that would effectively prevent new data centers and other digital infrastructure from being built within the city because existing projects already occupy the available three-mile spacing. The recommendations, which include noise, setback, screening, site-size, height, water-use and air-quality standards, still require approval from the Taylor City Council.
The Taylor Planning and Zoning Commission recommended amendments to the city’s Land Development Code that would require at least three miles between data centers, bitcoin mining operations, power plants, battery storage facilities and other digital infrastructure. Because existing projects overlap the available locations, the rule would effectively prevent new data centers from being permitted within Taylor city limits if approved by the City Council.
The proposed Phase 1B regulations also include a 1,000-foot building setback, a minimum site size of 100 acres, height limits, noise controls, screening berms, and requirements addressing water usage, air quality and monitoring. During an Oct. 13 public hearing, resident Louis Hughes, who lives near the proposed Project Meridian data center, requested stronger noise, screening and residential-property protections; commissioners incorporated those recommendations into the package. The amendments are expected to be refined during a later comprehensive rewrite of the code.