Jefferson County staff to draft environmental criteria for future data-center applications

County staff told the Jefferson County Commission on May 21 that the county’s zoning ordinance does not currently include a provision specifically allowing data centers and that officials are drafting an environmental-impact review and evaluation criteria for future applicants.

“in our current zoning ordinance … we do not have a provision that would say data centers are specifically allowed with any of our zoning categories,” said Josh, a county staff member, explaining that staff have been working with County Attorney Lawson’s team on revisions to a draft. Josh said the proposed review would establish the right questions and criteria to apply to developers seeking to locate data centers or other heavy, utility‑intensive uses in the county.

The review is intended to create a standardized framework so staff can make a recommendation to the commission after it has evaluated an applicant’s proposal against environmental and operational criteria. “It would … be for new applicants,” Josh said, adding that the county has held preliminary meetings with interested parties but has no applications on file.

Chair Lonerty praised the proactive approach. “We’re gonna be proactive instead of reacting with it,” Lonerty said.

The staff update noted the draft has already incorporated feedback from the county attorney’s office; Josh said staff are refining criteria to ensure commissioners have the information needed to weigh tradeoffs when applications are filed. The presentation did not include a timetable for returning to the commission with a final recommendation, and no formal action was taken at the meeting.

Next steps: county staff will continue drafting the environmental-impact review and evaluation criteria and will return to the commission with a recommendation when the draft is ready for formal consideration.