The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved second reading of Ordinance No. 25‑07 on Dec. 2, creating a new DC data‑center district and amending several sections of Chapter 90.

Residents who live near proposed data‑center sites spoke at length during public comment, raising concerns about noise limits, water consumption and the county’s public engagement. Brian Barefoot of Ray Owens Road said the ordinance’s 70‑decibel property‑line limit is too high, noting that EPA guidance and other counties use lower thresholds and that low‑frequency “humming” from cooling systems can carry for miles. “If you truly want to preserve the quality of life of the people that have to live next to these data centers, vote to revise this ordinance,” Barefoot said.

Susan Warren Apling, who lives near White Oak Road, urged the county to weigh water‑use and power‑grid impacts, citing examples of multi‑project footprints and state filings that she said indicate significant transmission upgrades and potential ratepayer costs. “These projects will reshape Columbia County for generations,” Apling said, and she asked the board to slow the process, bring independent studies and ensure developers mitigate environmental impacts.

County staff responded during public comment that the ordinance will not permit data centers to drill private wells, a provision intended to protect shallow wells and the aquifer, and that the ordinance’s noise section sets a 70 dB property‑line limit intended to protect surrounding citizens. A county official said staff hopes the measures will reduce risk to residents.

Commissioners debated process and legal obligations before the vote. Some speakers and attendees urged delay and more public engagement; commissioners noted existing contracts and regulatory timelines. Commissioner Malyer moved to approve the second reading of Ordinance No. 25‑07; the motion was seconded and carried.

The ordinance text as moved amends Chapter 90 (Article 3 allowed uses; Article 4 supplemental requirements; buffer and screening rules) and formally establishes section 90‑101 DC data center district. The county did not provide an immediate schedule for any further noise or independent impact studies during the meeting; public requests that the board pause to commission outside assessments were not adopted as part of the motion.

Next steps: the ordinance passed second reading at the meeting and will proceed according to county code and any statutorily required filing or effective‑date processes.