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Lynchburg planners propose tighter rules, conditional review for data centers
Summary
The Planning Commission reviewed proposed zoning changes to define data centers, shift many allowances from by-right to conditional use permit in industrial districts, and add setbacks, screening, monitoring and reporting requirements; staff will draft ordinance language and schedule a public hearing.
Lynchburg’s Planning Commission opened a work session on April 22 to consider code amendments that would create a specific definition for data centers and tighten where and how they are allowed in city zoning.
Planning staff told commissioners the city currently lists data-processing and hosting under a broad business category and allows the uses by right in many commercial, industrial and institutional zones. The proposal under discussion would adopt a targeted definition —including servers and related supporting infrastructure such as on-site generators and utility substations— and require conditional use permits (CUPs) for most new facilities so proposals receive site-by-site review and public notice.
The move would narrow where data centers can be built. Staff recommended limiting by-right allowances and requiring CUPs in selected industrial districts (I2 and I3 were discussed), while commissioners…
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