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Summit reaffirms ban on data centers, adopts clarifying ordinance
Summary
The council adopted ordinance 26-3393 to clarify language and reaffirm Summit's prohibition on data centers, citing energy, water, and noise impacts. Supporters urged regional coordination; councilmembers discussed possible future language on electrical capacity and noise.
The Summit Common Council on July 28 adopted ordinance 26-3393, which clarifies the municipal ban on data centers previously passed in June and confirms that data centers are not a permitted use within city limits.
Council member Chris Afully (introducing the measure) told the council the clarification preserves the city’s original intent: to prohibit data-center development because of potential negative impacts on energy use, utility rates, water demand and noise. "In any case, tonight's ordinance further confirms that data centers are banned in Summit," he said during the hearing.
Members of the public and climate-advocacy groups praised the ordinance. Will von Klimper thanked the council for prompt action; a representative from Climate Revolution Action Network described the ordinance as a model for other municipalities and warned about regional energy-system impacts if data centers proliferate. Council members discussed adding future provisions to address electrical capacity thresholds and noise controls. Several said those technical refinements should be developed with planning and engineering staff and model language from peers before any amendment.
What’s next: The ordinance was adopted at final reading with a unanimous recorded vote. Council and staff plan to monitor nearby municipal actions and, if needed, return with technical language (electrical-capacity thresholds, noise regulation) at a later date.
