Leesburg planners review tighter data center standards; staff to research generator testing practice

The Leesburg Planning Commission on Oct. 2 reviewed a revised draft of data center use standards in the town’s zoning rewrite and directed staff to gather additional technical information on generator testing and noise before returning to the commission.

Staff described edits to the draft standards intended to tighten design and environmental protections for proposed data center projects, including changes to facade glazing, screening of ground- and rooftop equipment, and a new approach to green-building technique requirements. Staff said they would research industry norms for backup-generator testing — how many units are tested at once, how long tests run and typical noise levels — and report back.

Why it matters: commissioners said data centers’ continuous operation and occasional generator use can produce sustained noise impacts on nearby residents. Commissioners pressed staff to ensure any new rules are defensible, not inconsistent with existing noise rules, and practicable for essential operations during testing and emergencies.

Staff presentation and proposed changes James David, Department of Community Development staff, reviewed draft edits that staff captured from prior commission direction. He said the document (section 12-3 under the industrial…