Coweta County commissioners continue data center ordinance hearing after hours of public comment

County staff presented a draft ordinance intended to regulate data center development countywide and the Board of Commissioners recessed a multi-hour public hearing and voted to continue the matter to Dec. 16 to give staff time to incorporate commissioner guidance.

The presentation, delivered by a county planner, defined a data center as a building up to 500,000 square feet and described zoning rules that would require many data centers to locate in industrial districts, connect to public water and sewer, meet minimum lot standards (25 acres), observe setbacks and buffer requirements, and submit environmental impact assessments and written utility capacity verification. The draft also prohibits open-loop cooling, limits generator testing to weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., and requires a 72-hour ambient noise survey prior to construction.

Why it matters: Data centers are high-value, capital-intensive projects that can expand a county’s industrial tax base but raise concerns about noise, visual impacts, water and electricity demand, and long-term decommissioning. The board’s action preserves more time for staff to refine standards and respond to residents’ questions before any ordinance is adopted.

Many residents urged stronger protections during public comment. Laura Beck of Citizens for Rural Coweta said the proposed 300-foot buffer from residences was too small and urged minimum buffers of 1,500 feet; she also called for clearer noise limits and counting rules for how often short noise events are allowed. Connie Litton asked the county to require bonds to cover future decommissioning costs so that rural land reverted if a center closes. Several speakers asked that environmental and noise studies be independent of developers.

Supporters and economic development advocates urged the board to adopt a framework that allows investment. Jason Peace and Mike Lash said data centers would grow the county’s industrial tax base and create recurring sales-tax revenue tied to equipment reinvestment; representatives for a proposed project argued that utility rules already require developers to fund needed grid improvements.

Board priorities and next steps: Commissioners asked staff to focus edits on five items before the continued hearing: the maximum building height, a clearer definition of what qualifies as an arterial or major collector road for siting, bonded decommissioning requirements, buffer distance from residences, and formal utility service/availability letters and substation screening rules. Commissioner McKenzie moved to continue the public hearing to Dec. 16, seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff said it will consolidate commissioner feedback and return with a revised draft for the board to review.

The board’s continuance leaves the existing moratorium in place through Dec. 4; commissioners discussed whether to extend the moratorium further depending on staff’s timeline for revisions.