Hoover moves to require conditional‑use review for equipment‑intensive 'office technical' (data center) uses

Planning staff told the council they reviewed the zoning code and concluded the closest existing classification for modern data centers is the 'office technical' use, defined in the ordinance as offices combined with equipment‑intensive areas devoted to data processing and communications equipment.

Mr. Martin said the city’s ordinance currently treats that use as permitted by right across most nonresidential districts. "Given the concerns we've heard from residents about potential impacts, it might be wise for us to add a little more scrutiny," he said, recommending the council change the use from permitted by right to a conditional use that would require a planning‑commission recommendation and final council action.

Under staff’s proposal, an applicant would first consult with staff, assemble any studies necessary (for example, traffic, utility and noise analyses), and then apply for conditional‑use approval so the council and planning commission could impose conditions to mitigate impacts or deny the project if it is not suitable for the chosen site.

Council members asked how existing facilities would be affected. Staff replied that routine internal upgrades within an existing building envelope would not automatically trigger a conditional‑use review, but expansions, new campus‑scale footprints or significant new impacts would require conditional‑use consideration. The amendment is presented for immediate consideration to avoid new permitted applications slipping through the current code while the city updates rules.

Staff said the amendment is a starting point and could be supplemented later with more detailed, use‑specific regulations once the city and council identify recurring impact themes.