Portage Approves New Zoning Rules Tightening Future Data Center Oversight
The Portage City Council unanimously approved new zoning rules to increase oversight of future data center development. This ordinance establishes a new Technology Campus District as the sole zoning classification for data centers, imposing stricter standards on projects. It also defines hyperscale data centers and requires additional approval for the largest facilities.
The Portage City Council has unanimously approved a comprehensive new zoning framework, giving city officials enhanced control over the future development of data centers within its jurisdiction. The updated ordinance establishes a dedicated Technology Campus District, designating it as the sole zoning classification where data centers can be developed. This replaces the previous system where such facilities could be permitted under general warehouse zoning, a pathway city leaders deemed inadequate for managing the specific impacts of large-scale technology projects.
The new regulations incorporate several stricter development standards. Council members adopted an amendment that lowers the maximum allowable noise level from 65 to 55 decibels and reduces the maximum building height from 75 feet to 65 feet for data center structures. Additionally, technology campus projects are now mandated to be located at least 500 feet from residential properties and 200 feet from other zoning districts, with landscaping buffers required adjacent to homes.
The ordinance also introduces a local definition for hyperscale data centers, classifying facilities that exceed 50 megawatts of power demand or 500,000 square feet in area. These larger projects will now necessitate an additional planned development approval, ensuring more rigorous review and oversight for the most impactful installations.