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County attorney calls draft data center ordinance "very restrictive"; commissioners ask staff to add development, decommissioning and emergency requirements
Summary
At the July 14 Upson County work session County Attorney Heath English described a draft data center ordinance as "very restrictive." Commissioners asked staff to draft a development agreement and specific decommissioning, emergency response and utility-commitment requirements for inclusion in the ordinance.
The Upson County Board of Commissioners discussed a draft ordinance to regulate data centers during a July 14, 2026 work session in Thomaston. County Attorney Heath English described the draft as "very restrictive" and said the most critical element would be a development agreement that clearly outlines project-specific requirements and obligations.
Commissioners and staff discussed setbacks, allowable zoning classifications, utility-service commitments, decommissioning procedures and emergency response planning. The board directed staff to prepare ordinance language or supporting documents that include: a development agreement; a decommissioning plan that would include a bond or other financial assurance; an emergency response plan; and a letter of service or commitment from the utility provider. The transcript records these four items as the explicit deliverables the board requested.
No vote or formal adoption occurred at the work session; the board discussed policy direction and instructed staff to draft the ordinance components for future consideration. The session took place at 106 East Lee Street, Suite 140, Thomaston.
