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Council reviews proposed data‑center zoning; members press to bar well water use
Summary
Council reviewed planning‑commission language for citywide data‑center zoning — including setbacks, noise limits and water‑use rules — and several members urged a ban on using private well water to protect nearby residential wells.
Council members on Monday debated proposed zoning language aimed at governing data centers citywide, focusing on water use, noise limits and siting protections.
At a meeting of the Norton City Council, Mister Lukens introduced language sent back from the planning commission that would require water studies, on‑site power plans, emergency‑response plans, buffers, parking and an average hourly noise cap of 55 decibels for data‑center projects. "Covers water studies, lighting plans, on‑site power generation, pre‑construction noise analysis, water use agreements…There's a lot in here," the council president said while presenting the document for discussion.
Council member Mister Towsley said the draft should be stricter on groundwater use. "I think, personally, it should say wells may not be used for data centers," he said, arguing many nearby homes rely on private wells and that the city should protect residents' water supplies. Mister DeHartart agreed, saying previous discussions assumed city water would be used and endorsing a firm prohibition.
Legal and administrative staff said the ordinance would function alongside major‑site‑plan approval, special‑use permits and development agreements, and that council retains controls through those processes. Mister Markey, who explained the planning commission’s recommendations and filing procedures, said council would still have "pretty good control" through the combination of site approvals and the required development agreement but that he needed to review the language in more depth.
Several council members noted a moratorium is in place while the city studies rules, and members said the draft is intended to give the city a consistent regulatory framework in the event developers re‑apply. "We can't just say no to all of them upfront. You gotta put rules and regulations in place," one member said. Others emphasized keeping a decision point for council even when technical requirements are met.
The council did not vote on a final ordinance text Monday; members directed staff to return revised language to planning commission with the suggestion to strengthen protections for private wells and ensure residents have a clear voice during site‑plan and permit reviews. The matter remains under review.
