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Commission pauses action on draft data‑center ordinance and recommends 60‑day moratorium extension
Summary
Planning staff introduced a draft data‑center ordinance with standards for siting, noise, buffering and infrastructure; after extensive commissioner and public concern over timing, notice, noise, water and power impacts, the commission voted to postpone action and recommend a 60‑day moratorium extension to the full Augusta Commission.
Augusta’s planning director presented a draft ordinance intended to regulate future data‑center development through a special‑exception review process and detailed operational standards, and planning commissioners and members of the public pressed staff for more time and technical analysis before final action.
Director Cameron described the 26‑page draft as a modified version that sets site suitability rules, enhanced setbacks and buffering, noise and lighting standards, utility and emergency‑service coordination, stormwater and environmental protections, and an ongoing operational compliance regime. She said the ordinance was prepared at the direction of the Augusta Commission to provide interim safeguards while the broader zoning update proceeds.
Several commissioners raised procedural objections, saying the packet had been provided on a tight timeline and asking whether the planning commission meeting qualified as a public hearing for this topic. Commissioners queried noise limits and enforcement, neighborhood notification distances and buffer widths (several proposed increasing the draft’s notice radius and buffer distances), the potential for higher electricity and water costs to be shifted to residents, and the need for independent technical review of noise and water impacts.
Members of the public and organizations including the League of Women Voters of the CSRA urged a longer public process, a higher minimum buffer, stronger noise limits, decommissioning bonds, public benefit agreements, and clearer disclosure of project ownership. "This ordinance should not move forward with final approval until it reflects further input on buffers, notice, infrastructure funding and water use," Gayla Kesey of the League told the commission.
Director Cameron said the draft includes a three‑year anniversary full compliance review and that staff would convene a review committee; she also said staff would provide opportunities for additional public meetings and red‑line language for commissioner review.
After discussion, Commissioner Cooks moved to postpone taking action on the proposed ordinance and to recommend that the Augusta Commission extend the moratorium for 60 days; the motion carried on a roll call and the recommendation will be forwarded to the full commission for consideration on July 21.
The planning department said that additional public forums and departmental findings will be scheduled as the ordinance and zoning updates proceed. The commission’s recommendation to extend the moratorium is advisory; the full Augusta Commission must act to enact or extend a moratorium.
