Residents urge stricter rules for data centers and ask Coweta County to adopt a noise ordinance

Several residents used the public-comment period on Sept. 16 to press the Board to adopt tougher standards for data centers and to create a countywide noise ordinance.

Jimmy Newman, speaking for residents who attended an earlier special meeting on a data center ordinance, urged the board to keep proposed ordinance improvements fresh in mind and listed priorities: limit data centers to appropriate zoning classifications, require data centers to pay for necessary electrical-system expansions, prohibit open-loop water cooling in favor of closed-loop systems, and impose stiff fines for violations so companies do not simply pay penalties without fixing problems.

Ron Bachrath highlighted the uncertainty in water-use estimates presented to the county, citing widely different figures (one estimate of 100,000 gallons per day versus another of 6,000,000 gallons per day) and argued commissioners should address drought contingency plans and long-term water availability before approving data center activity.

Jerry White and Kelly Callahan urged the county to adopt a countywide noise ordinance for residential areas; Callahan proposed specific language (drawn from Decatur County, Ga.) that would deem sounds audible at 200 feet to be presumed violations in certain contexts, noting such rules are enforceable without sophisticated meter equipment and are used by neighboring counties.

Board response and next steps: The commissioners acknowledged the public comment; earlier in the meeting staff and commissioners had set a public hearing for Nov. 18 and a work session for Oct. 16 on the data center ordinance. Staff committed to posting related materials on the county website for public review prior to further hearings.