Planning commission hears public comment on data centers, postpones formal regulation

The Oconee County Planning Commission opened public comment on data centers March 2 and heard technical and practical perspectives from two local speakers and committee members before voting to postpone further local rulemaking until May.

Richard Ellson, who identified himself as a local data-center operator and lifelong resident, told the commission that many public concerns about water and power are overstated for modern facilities: "Data centers don't eat up all the water and make wells go dry," he said, describing closed-loop cooling and noting many facilities now use on-site generation. Ellson cautioned against singling out data centers for regulatory treatment that other industrial operations do not face.

Tom Marovich, another commenter, pointed to active state-level work — he said multiple bills are under consideration — and warned the county not to duplicate or pre-empt ongoing state efforts. Staff and committee members (Teresa and Britt) reported the committee's review and asked whether the county should treat large, high-powered "AI" or hyperscale facilities differently from smaller enterprise or colocation centers. Committee members said the county could restrict or direct larger facilities to heavier industrial zoning districts while treating smaller facilities like other commercial uses. Legal counsel and staff said state bills under discussion may create permitting tiers without eliminating local zoning authority, but they advised caution and technical input.

After discussion the commission voted to postpone formal action and asked the data-center committee to return with: a clear definition of the class of facilities the county wants to regulate (e.g., power-use triggers), technical comparisons of types (enterprise, colocation, hyperscale/AI), and suggested zoning/performance standards. The commission put the data-center matter and Chapter 38 on the May agenda for further technical review.