Commissioners debate noise limits and infrasound standards for proposed data centers
Summary
A central dispute in drafting the ordinance focused on how to measure and cap noise from data centers (dBA) and whether to add dBC/infrasound protections. Commissioners reviewed examples imposing 45–55 dBA and discussed applicant-paid independent verification.
Noise emerged as a central technical issue during the ordinance review. Commissioners compared language from the petition and other model ordinances and debated a fixed property-line dBA cap (examples cited ranged from 45 to 55 dBA) versus a measurement regime that also controls low-frequency infrasound (dBC). One commissioner recommended a single DBC limit applied 24/7; others favored a tiered or contextual approach linked to the size of the facility.
Commissioners agreed to require pre‑construction and post‑construction noise modeling and to reserve the right to require independent verification of noise measurements at the applicant’s expense. The commission did not set a final numeric limit and asked members to consider whether the ordinance should adopt the petition’s 55 dBA, a lower 50‑decibel cap recommended by the presenter, or a different approach. Mike Turner told the panel, “I would limit your DBA noise to 50 decibels.”
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