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Brewer council certifies zoning amendments, sets detailed local rules for data centers under 20 MW
Summary
Council certified and filed three land-use code amendments April 28 that revise permitted uses, dimensional requirements and performance standards — notably adding a comprehensive set of rules for Tier 1–3 data centers and prohibiting data centers of 20 MW or greater.
Brewer City Council certified three amendments to Chapter 24 (Land Use Code) on April 28 after unanimous Planning Board recommendation and no public comments. The revisions clarify residential use categories and dimensional standards and add a new Article 4 section establishing use-specific performance standards and definitions for data centers.
Under the approved language, data centers are categorized as Tier 1 (under 1 MW), Tier 2 (1–<5 MW) and Tier 3 (5–<20 MW). Data centers at or above 20 MW remain prohibited. The new performance standards require noise studies and limits (55 dBA at property lines adjacent to residences, higher thresholds for commercial/industrial adjacencies); Tier 3 centers must use acoustically enclosed generators or equivalent mitigation. Tier 2 and 3 facilities must meet an energy efficiency target (Power Usage Effectiveness) with a target PUE equal to or less than 1.6. Large facilities must submit an Energy Impact Statement, water-use studies, and demonstrate electrical utility coordination.
Other requirements include screening of mechanical equipment, fuel-storage and BESS compliance with fire code and NFPA standards, detailed decommissioning plans with financial assurance equal to 120% of removal cost, annual reporting (energy, water, PUE, noise monitoring, generator testing logs), and emergency-response coordination with local public-safety departments. On-site substations are limited to the IND-2 zoning district and require site-plan approval.
Councilor Daniels moved the certification and filing of the amendments; Councilor Phanthay seconded and the motion passed 4–0. The amendments now will be posted by the city clerk as required by local procedure.
