The Walker County Data Center Development Standards Study Committee continues to work toward establishing regulations for potential data center developments in the county, with members addressing noise restrictions, building requirements, lighting and environmental protections during their latest meeting.
The committee held its fourth meeting on Thursday, October 8, reviewing additional sections of a proposed ordinance that could eventually be presented to the Walker County Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners.
One of the major topics discussed was water usage. District 4 appointee Travis Middleton requested that the committee revisit several previous recommendations, including the use of closed-loop cooling systems.
Committee members reaffirmed their support for requiring closed-loop cooling systems at data center facilities. Members noted that the systems would help prevent excessive demands on local water supplies while eliminating routine wastewater discharges.
The committee also discussed the legal differences between banning data centers outright and establishing local regulations governing their development.
Committee Chair Stephanie Watkins explained that the group’s final recommendations could include multiple scenarios outlining the potential impacts of adopting comprehensive regulations compared to leaving existing county codes unchanged.
Members also refined the proposed definition of a data center to focus on facilities containing high-density computer equipment used for digital data processing, while avoiding regulations that could unintentionally affect traditional telecommunications operations.
Another major recommendation involves requiring data centers to be constructed as permanent buildings rather than using shipping containers.
Committee members expressed concerns that shipping containers are classified as personal property for taxation purposes and depreciate quickly, while permanent structures provide a more substantial long-term investment and contribute to the county’s property tax base.
Exterior lighting requirements were also discussed, with members supporting downward-facing fixtures and a maximum lighting color temperature of 3,000 Kelvin. The proposed standards are intended to reduce glare and protect nighttime visibility in rural areas.
Noise restrictions generated considerable discussion during the meeting.
The original draft ordinance proposed limiting sound levels at property lines to an average of 65 decibels during the day and 55 decibels at night.
However, committee members unanimously agreed to remove the word “average” from the proposed regulations, citing concerns that averaging noise measurements could allow facilities to produce excessive noise during certain periods without violating the ordinance.
The committee instead supported establishing a 65-decibel ceiling across all frequencies.
Under the proposed requirements, data center developers would also be responsible for paying for acoustic testing conducted by an agreed-upon independent third-party firm.
Violations of county ordinances could result in Magistrate Court penalties of up to $1,000 per day.
Environmental protections were another focus of the meeting.
Committee members endorsed requiring groundwater monitoring wells when data centers are developed near ponds or other water features. The monitoring would establish baseline groundwater conditions and help protect neighboring wells.
Walker County Planning and Zoning Director Jon Pursley also explained that Georgia record-retention requirements would require the county to maintain developer monitoring records and construction blueprints for at least 10 years.
The committee has now reviewed the first eight sections of the proposed ordinance and will continue its work during its next scheduled meeting on Thursday, October 22.
Upcoming discussions will focus on emergency backup generators and additional regulatory requirements, including financial surety bonds intended to address the eventual decommissioning of data center facilities.
The committee is working toward presenting its final recommendations to the Walker County Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners in December.
Any proposed regulations would still need to go through the appropriate county review and approval process before becoming law.