Marana public hearing set tonight on data center code changes
The Marana Planning Commission is holding a public hearing on proposed data center regulations covering noise, including low-frequency sound, and decommissioning procedures. The rules would require operators to begin the shutdown process within 180 days after receiving written notice of closure or after 12 months without activity, but any changes would still need Town Council approval.
The Marana Planning Commission is considering new regulations for data centers, including limits on low-frequency noise that may be felt rather than heard. The proposal would supplement existing sound restrictions and address concerns about the effects of data center operations on nearby residents.
The proposed rules would also establish a formal decommissioning process. Operators would have to begin shutting down a facility within 180 days after providing written notice that it is closing or after 12 months with no activity. The commission’s public hearing is an initial step, and the Marana Town Council would need to approve the regulations before they take effect. Marana approved a large data center earlier in the year after a heavily attended hearing.