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Commissioners press staff to tighten data‑center definition and study water, noise and heat impacts
Summary
Board members urged staff to refine the draft data‑center definition so routine corporate server rooms are not captured, asked for utility capacity analyses and expert input on heat and noise impacts, and scheduled public expert sessions before code adoption.
Several commissioners expressed concern that the draft data‑center definition was too broad and could classify ordinary corporate or governmental server rooms as regulated data centers. Commissioner Allen said the definition should focus on a facility whose primary purpose is providing data services to off‑site users rather than simply "a building containing" servers.
John Peterson and other staff agreed to refine the definition with measurable thresholds (for example square footage or megawatts) and to coordinate with county IT, power providers and water authorities. Commissioners also asked staff to include requirements in applications for estimates of energy load, water consumption and wastewater impacts. Peterson said staff recommends closed‑loop cooling systems to minimize wastewater and will require water studies and wastewater treatment plans as part of permit review.
Commissioners requested technical analyses on how data centers affect electrical capacity and localized heat dissipation and directed staff to bring legal and utility partners into the drafting process. Peterson and Jessica Gwynn reiterated that staff will seek a moratorium extension in early August and hold public expert sessions Aug. 4 (online) and Aug. 6 (in person) to gather more technical input.
