Jackson County adopts temporary moratorium on data processing centers after noise, fire and zoning concerns

Jackson County supervisors voted on March 25, 2025, to adopt a temporary moratorium on data mining facilities and data processing centers, pausing new applications while staff drafts a standalone ordinance addressing noise, setbacks and fire suppression.

The moratorium was approved by motion of Supervisor Nynn Fleggor, seconded by Supervisor Mike Steinus; the board recorded the motion as approved by voice vote. The resolution is identified in the meeting transcript as resolution number 11O5-DashO3-Dash25-Dash25 and will remain in place while county staff and the zoning commission develop zoning standards and technical requirements.

The moratorium follows a presentation by Charlie White of RM Capital Ventures and an extended discussion among supervisors and the county zoning administrator about noise, fire safety and how to write clear standards into zoning code. White told the board his company builds modular “pods” for data processing and that different cooling approaches produce different sound levels: “we have gone forward with the air cooled system is trying to stay about 500 feet away from anybody’s property,” he said, and added that a hydro (water) cooled system can be much quieter but costs more per pod.

White described measured noise levels and distances during his presentation: “our systems are about…at 45 feet with the chilled systems…they’re about 60 decibels,” and he said his firm prefers sites at least 500 feet from residences when using air-cooled equipment.

County zoning administrator Laurie framed the next steps and recommended that the county adopt a standalone ordinance rather than fold new rules into unrelated sections of the general zoning code: “I would like to have this as a stand alone and not built in,” she said, citing the technical and emotional nature of the topic and the need to avoid bogging down the broader ordinance rewrite.

Supervisors voiced concern about noise propagation in valleys and about long-term community impacts. One supervisor said a steady 60-decibel sound level at or near a property line would be unacceptable, noting that terrain and nighttime conditions can amplify sound: “If I had to hear that 24-7, 365 days a year… I don’t want city noise,” the supervisor said. Board members also raised fire-suppression and public-notice issues; White described available suppression systems and told the board his company can install chemical fire suppression and other mitigations.

Zoning staff told the board they have collected public input from an earlier hearing and expect to complete a draft ordinance before the moratorium expires. The board discussed, but did not fix, the moratorium’s precise end date. During the vote the chair referenced “August,” and county staff later confirmed the draft ordinance should be ready well before the end of August, though the meeting transcript contains inconsistent references to August 30 vs. August 31. The final ordinance text and formal effective dates will be determined when staff returns with a draft.

What happens next: zoning staff will draft a standalone ordinance with specific criteria (setbacks to dwellings, noise limits, fire protection and notification requirements) and present it to the zoning commission and the Board of Supervisors for review. The county also invited companies to provide on-site demonstrations of quieter cooling systems and indicated it will encourage early, direct outreach between prospective operators and neighboring property owners.

Ending

The moratorium suspends new data-processing facility applications while Jackson County develops a local regulatory framework. The board recorded the motion as approved by voice vote; staff will return with ordinance language and additional technical information, including noise and fire-protection specifications.