Resident urges hearings as Warren County begins drafting data-center ordinance

During the public-comment portion of the May 20 meeting, Piper Vanlord, speaking for herself and Alagany Outfitters, urged the county to schedule one or more public hearings on proposed ordinance language for data centers and to broadly publicize hearings while the draft is still under development.

"I'm not trying to be alarmist, but there really is concern," Piper said, adding that some community members live "below the water surface" and are worried about the potential water demand from data centers. She asked the county to put the public on notice that hearings will be held so residents have the opportunity to comment before final rules are adopted.

County staff responded that ordinance amendments would be processed through the planning commission and that the county is required by law to hold public hearings for subdivision or zoning ordinance changes. "So, yes, that will happen," a county representative said, adding that officials try to advertise hearings through multiple channels beyond the local newspaper and that drafts are being researched with engineers and by examining other communities' approaches.

Michael, identified in the meeting as the planning director, was described as having started work on drafting regulations but said the process "is a ways to go yet." Staff described different scales of data centers — from trailer-sized facilities to multi-acre campuses — and said the county will study water and power demands and seek engineering advice as part of the drafting process.

The board did not take action at the meeting on ordinance language. Commissioners indicated they are open to convening a steering committee that could include interested citizens, planning commissioners and outside experts to help draft regulations for public review.