Smithfield council adopts zoning amendment that defines and bars data centers

The Smithfield Town Council on Tuesday adopted a zoning amendment that defines "data centers" as a distinct land use and classifies them as not permitted in all town zoning districts, citing concerns about water use, energy demand and community character.

The council opened a public hearing on the proposal after the town planner explained the amendment’s intent. Planning Director Gregory Gurn told the council the change was meant to establish a clear local definition and to keep data centers from proceeding until the town has a more complete regulatory framework. "The ordinance amendment defines what a data center is and lists it as not permitted in all of the zoning districts," Gurn said.

That explanation came before more than an hour of public comment from dozens of residents and visitors who urged the council to adopt a ban. Speakers repeatedly raised water‑use estimates cited by developers in earlier presentations — figures residents said ranged from roughly 5,000 to 7,000 gallons per day — and warned of risks to wells, reservoirs and wetlands. "Water usage promises without a tenant and without a defined build out are not credible or enforceable," Kelly Talley, a Smithfield resident, told the council.

Other speakers described potential low‑frequency noise and ecological harm, said the number of permanent local jobs would likely be small compared with construction work, and noted examples of other municipalities that had limited or restricted data centers. One commenter urged the council to "pass an outright ban on data centers tonight," describing the proposal as a long‑term threat to the town’s character and natural resources.

Council debate emphasized protecting the town’s water, wildlife and quality of life. A council sponsor framed the measure as precautionary rather than anti‑business: "I'm not anti growth. I'm not anti business, but I'm pro information. I'm pro knowledge," the council member said, urging councilors to adopt the amendment to give elected officials and staff tools to evaluate future applications.

Council member X moved to adopt the ordinance as submitted by the town planner and to incorporate the planner’s staff memo and testimony into the record; another member seconded. The clerk conducted a roll‑call vote, reported as 4–0–1 in favor, and the amendment passed.

What the ordinance does and what it does not: the change creates a local, enforceable definition of "data center" and marks that use as not permitted in existing zoning tables. It does not itself regulate tax incentives, state permitting, or grid operations. Several speakers urged state action on reporting requirements and financial guardrails; others said federal or regional energy decisions will also matter.

Next steps: with the ordinance adopted, applications that would be categorized as data centers would be ineligible under current zoning. Town staff and council members said the amendment is intended to hold land use decisions until the town completes a fuller assessment of infrastructure, water, wastewater, cooling systems, noise mitigation and enforceable conditions. The council also incorporated the planner’s memo into the public record for future reference.

The action was one of the night’s two major zoning votes; later the council approved a separate amendment adjusting by‑right hotel room counts in the economic growth overlay district.