Draft Data Center Ordinance Public Meeting

This public meeting held by the Augusta, Georgia government on August 31, 2026, focused on discussing a draft ordinance regulating data centers within the community. The Planning and Development Director and staff presented definitions and classifications of data centers by size and impact, addressing community concerns about zoning, land use, noise, vibration, water and energy consumption, and environmental protection. The proposed ordinance includes setback requirements, noise limits, and a data center overlay zoning district to restrict data center locations primarily to commercial, mixed-use, and industrial zones. The meeting included extensive public comments and questions regarding enforcement, transparency, potential economic impacts, and protections for residents. The director emphasized that no new applications are currently accepted due to a moratorium and that the ordinance aims to protect the community while allowing responsible economic development. The final draft with redline changes was to be presented to the Augusta Commission shortly, with further public input opportunities planned.