Board approves removing "data processing facility" term from Smith County zoning ordinance

The Board of Supervisors approved a Planning Commission recommendation to remove the term and definition for "data processing facility" (including call center uses) from specified sections of the county zoning ordinance.

County staff explained the Planning Commission split a prior proposal into two parts during a public hearing: first, to remove the existing, broad definition and remove the use from commercial and industrial districts; second, to consider a new, narrower definition with special-use permit requirements and additional regulations. The commission voted unanimously to recommend removal of the current definition; at the board meeting a supervisor moved to adopt that recommendation and the motion carried unanimously.

Board members asked whether removal effectively precludes data centers until a replacement definition is adopted; staff and supervisors discussed that removal means the county’s ordinance will not list the use until the commission returns with a recommendation. Staff said the Planning Commission will take up the second part at its next meeting in two weeks; no new definition or permitting changes were adopted by the board at this meeting.