Euharlee P&Z tables data center rules

The Euharlee Planning and Zoning Commission at its September 8 meeting tabled a city staff request to enact a text amendment establishing rules for data centers. The commission plans to revisit the proposed ordinance at a special meeting on September 22. The proposed ordinance aims to set standards for data centers, including site design, cooling, power generation, noise, and lighting, prior to the city receiving any applications. Euharlee Community and Economic Development Director Katie Gobbi explained that the ordinance is modeled on Bartow County's regulations and would permit data centers in I-1 and I-2 industrial districts, and as a conditional use in A-1 agricultural districts, with a minimum site area of 50 acres.

During the public hearing, Euharlee resident Ron Hartman voiced concerns, suggesting the ordinance did not adequately address transparency regarding data center principals, owners, developers, and operators, as well as non-disclosure agreements and exact parcel information. Hartman also emphasized the need for scrutiny on power demands, referencing Plant Bowen and potential impacts on transmission lines, which he noted were not covered by the current Bartow County ordinance or the proposed Euharlee version. Gobbi clarified that many of Hartman's concerns, such as utility regulation, fall outside the purview of zoning and are handled by entities like the Public Service Commission.

Commission members also engaged in discussion, with Steve Gray expressing openness to smaller data centers and suggesting a reduction in the minimum acreage requirement from 50 to 5 acres to avoid frequent variances, a sentiment echoed by City Manager James Stephens. Ultimately, member Lovako Patterson requested more information before a vote, leading to Gray's motion, seconded by Patterson, to table the ordinance, which passed unanimously.