Commission discusses noise, generator testing and enforcement for proposed data centers

Noise, generator testing and enforcement emerged as central implementation issues as the commission reviewed the data-center draft ordinance.

The draft requires an acoustic study before approval and a post-construction verification study before occupancy and proposes noise limits measured at property lines. Alex said the draft also limits generator testing to weekday daytime hours and suggested optional sequencing requirements so multiple generators are not tested simultaneously unless necessary. "Generators also cannot be used as regular power sources for routine peak hours," Alex said while summarizing the draft exemptions for emergency or utility-directed testing.

Commissioners contrasted the draft's example 50 dB daytime limit with the city's current presumptive daytime sound levels (discussed in the meeting as 70 dB for residential, 75 dB commercial and 80 dB industrial) and asked how the city would detect and enforce violations. Staff said noise enforcement typically falls to code enforcement and that the city is completing a sound study; several commissioners supported clearer decibel metrics or peak/temporal measures to differentiate intermittent and persistent noise.

Commissioners asked staff to ensure the noise standards are enforceable and to coordinate draft language with the pending city noise study before a public hearing.