Aurora council adopts new data‑center rules after weeks of resident complaints; lowers proposed noise limits

Aurora’s City Council voted March 24 to adopt new local rules that set separation, noise, testing and reporting requirements for data‑center facilities after weeks of public pressure from nearby residents, staff presentations and council debate. The council amended staff’s earlier proposal and approved a property‑line noise standard of 56 A‑weighted decibels during daytime hours (7 a.m.–7 p.m.) and 46 dB overnight (7 p.m.–7 a.m.).

The measures—packaged in two ordinances the council adopted that evening—create a local permitting path, require pre‑ and post‑construction sound and vibration testing by a city‑approved consultant, add operational reporting requirements and clarify enforcement mechanisms. Council members and staff said the package is intended to protect residents’ health and quality of life while providing a clear, enforceable regulatory framework for future facilities.

The issue dominated public comment. Dozens of residents described continuous low‑frequency noise they attribute to a nearby CyrusOne campus and asked the council to ban or strictly limit new data‑center development. “It never goes away,” Laura Evans told the council, describing constant chiller noise in her yard and urging stronger setbacks and enforcement. Several speakers also raised groundwater and air‑quality concerns; Ashley Statt, an environmental‑policy practitioner, urged higher on‑site energy and water‑efficiency standards and asked whether 25 percent on‑site renewable or storage was adequate.

Representatives of existing local facilities urged a balanced approach. Kevin Lennon of CME Group said CME has operated a data center at 2905 Deal Road for 16 years, described steps taken to reduce noise and emissions and asked flexibility for operational testing; he said his company was…