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Wildwood planners move to confine data centers to industrial zone, propose six performance standards
Summary
The commission requested staff draft a letter and ordinance language to limit data centers to the city’s M-3 planned industrial district and to require standards on water source, stormwater, wastewater, noise, lighting and electrical use; commissioners stressed definitions and protections for nearby residents.
The Wildwood Planning and Zoning Commission on March 2 directed staff to prepare a letter of recommendation and draft code language that would define data centers as a standalone use limited to the Wildwood portion of the Chesterfield Valley (M-3 planned industrial district) and establish performance standards to reduce community impacts.
Department of Planning staff said there are no active proposals in Wildwood but recommended a proactive approach to avoid reactive measures later. The department proposed treating data centers as a conditional use in the planned industrial district and listed six initial performance standards: groundwater use limited to public sources (no groundwater withdrawals), compliance with Chesterfield Valley stormwater plans and MSD requirements, wastewater provided through a public entity (MSD), noise limits consistent with the city code (55 dBA day / 45 dBA night), dark-sky-compliant lighting, and electrical-consumption measures aligned with minimum state provisions.
“Data centers have drawn a lot of attention,” the department said, adding that the conditional-use approach gives the city more site-specific flexibility and requires applicants to demonstrate they meet ordinance criteria. Staff also cautioned that some utility regulation is governed at the state level and that certain limits may be difficult to enforce directly.
Commissioners asked for clear definitions (major, micro, large-load data centers), for additional safeguards on electricity impacts and emissions, and about setbacks and noise mitigation. Commissioner Humphrey summarized local concerns: “The electric impact of these data centers should not be allowed to adversely impact the rest of the city,” and urged that definitions and design standards be tight so the city does not have to chase amendments later.
After discussion the commission voted to accept the department’s recommendation to proceed with drafting a letter and definitions; staff said the item will return for further consideration with proposed ordinance language and performance standards.
