# September 14, 2026 Rockingham County Planning Board Meeting

The Rockingham County Planning Board held a meeting on September 14, 2026, where they discussed two key zoning matters. First, they reviewed and recommended approval for a rezoning request by David Simpson to change a parcel from light industrial to residential agricultural, with final approval scheduled for the October 19 County Commissioners meeting. Second, the board extensively deliberated on a proposed zoning text amendment to establish specific development standards for data processing facilities, including data centers. The amendment addressed land use classification, minimum lot size, setbacks, noise and vibration limits, landscaping, generator emissions, water usage, lighting, and decommissioning plans. The board debated noise decibel limits, setback distances, and cooling system types, ultimately agreeing on a 60-decibel noise limit at the property line, a 200-foot setback from non-residential zones, and a 500-foot setback from residential zones, with flexibility for site-specific conditions. They also discussed requiring neighborhood meetings with notification via mail and an additional media outlet. The amendment was approved to move forward to the County Commissioners for consideration, likely in October. The board emphasized the need for proactive regulation of data centers due to their growing presence and potential community impacts, while allowing for future adjustments as technology evolves.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** September 14, 2026

### Sources
- [September 14, 2026 Rockingham County Planning Board Meeting](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKoA2kxpB8U) - Rockingham Update