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Commission debates draft data-center ordinance amid power and water concerns
Summary
The commission reviewed a draft data-center ordinance, debating minimum acreage, distinctions between crypto-mining containers and conventional data centers, and major constraints in unincorporated Troup County (limited water, sewer and transmission-level power). Staff recommended treating data centers as special uses in heavy industrial with supplemental regulations and asked for more time to refine definitions.
Planning staff presented a draft ordinance to regulate data centers and related operations in unincorporated Troup County and asked the commission to review scope and definitions.
Commissioners discussed whether to set minimum acreage thresholds (staff suggested heavy-industrial minima such as 25 acres for some facilities but noted a range of facility sizes exists), and debated how to treat small containerized crypto-mining operations versus full-scale data centers. Several members raised utility constraints: "Troup County is not in a position to even offer the opportunity for a large data center. We don't have the right to the water... you don't have a power source other than going to an independent third party," one commissioner said. The group also discussed vegetative buffers (a suggested 300 linear feet) and fencing allowances within buffers. Staff recommended more time to define small/medium/large facilities and research other jurisdictions; staff indicated an extension to January is likely to complete the ordinance work.
Commissioners also aired concerns about water use for cooling; one participant referenced a recent project with "3,000,000 gallons" cited in the conversation as an example of high water consumption for some cooling systems. Staff emphasized technology is evolving and recommended further study before finalizing the ordinance.
