Augusta officials have released a final draft of a proposed data center ordinance, including revisions made during the review process, now available on the Augusta Planning and Development website.
Data centers are facilities that house computer servers and provide computing power for artificial intelligence, or AI. Augusta leaders are considering an ordinance to establish guidelines for future data center development and address potential impacts on nearby residents.
According to the city, the proposed ordinance is designed to encourage investment while ensuring new development aligns with Augusta's long-term planning goals.
The ordinance includes standards related to:
- Appropriate zoning districts for data center development.
- Minimum setbacks and buffers from residential neighborhoods and sensitive land uses.
- Site design, landscaping, and architectural compatibility.
- Noise, lighting, and visual impact mitigation.
- Utility coordination and infrastructure capacity.
- Emergency access and public safety requirements.
- Environmental performance and stormwater management.
- Ongoing operational standards and compliance monitoring.
In July, Augusta commissioners unanimously declined to move forward with the proposed regulations and instead extended the city's moratorium on data centers for an additional 60 days. The extension gave officials more time to gather public input and study how other communities regulate similar facilities.
The 29-page draft outlinesproposed zoning, siting, development and operational standards for data centers and high-density computing facilities in Augusta. It also provides guidance on where the facilities could be located and how future projects should be coordinated with surrounding land uses, infrastructure, utilities and natural resources.
The draft establishes five classifications based on a facility's size and infrastructure needs: accessory, minor, medium, major, and data center campus.
The proposal also outlines Augusta's expectation that potential developers work with the city on community benefits agreements. Those agreements could support priorities such as workforce development, educational partnerships, infrastructure investments, opportunities for local contractors and suppliers, and environmental stewardship.
The Augusta Commission is scheduled to consider the proposed ordinance at its meeting on Sept. 15.
City officials emphasized that releasing the draft does not mean the ordinance has been approved. The proposal remains subject to review and action by the Augusta Commission. Residents are encouraged to review the draft before the Sept. 15 commission meeting.
More information and the full draft ordinance are available at: https://www.augustaga.gov/DocumentCenter/View/21821/Final-Draft-Proposed-Data-Center-Ordinance_98_lc
This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Journalism Funding Partners.
Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@usatodayco.com or on X: @EricaVanBuren32.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta residents invited to review data center ordinance before vote
