Jefferson County committee advances draft data-center regulations, delays community-benefits language pending legal review

Jefferson County committee members reviewed a near-final draft of land-use regulations for data centers on Feb. 18 and agreed to send most of the draft to the Planning & Zoning Commission for a March 12 public hearing while postponing detailed action on a submitted community benefits agreement until legal review is complete.

The presentation, led by Mitch Baer, walked the committee through the draft’s key elements and schedule. Baer told the committee the Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing March 12 and that, if recommended, the county council could introduce an ordinance in April. “Within 5 years of operation, the data centers, we’ve upped that to 60%,” Baer said, describing an energy-certification timeline that requires an initial 40% renewable share at occupancy and a 60% target within five years.

Why it matters: The draft ties siting and technical rules — setbacks, noise limits, cooling technology and energy sourcing — to real-world protections for adjacent residents and county infrastructure. Committee discussion focused on whether the draft is legally defensible, how to certify renewable supply, and how to enforce noise, water and air-quality standards.

Most important provisions and debate

- Setbacks and design: The draft requires principal structures to be set back 200 feet from nonresidential property and 500…