Statesboro council advances stricter data‑center rules after public concern

The Statesboro Mayor and Council on May 19 advanced a revised amendment to the Unified Development Code that would tighten where and how data centers may be sited in the city, moving the measure to a second reading for final adoption.

City planning staff told the council the revision removes language that would have allowed ‘‘hyperscale’’ data‑center campuses and instead caps eligible large facilities at 50 acres. Staff (Justin) said the package also deletes hyperscale‑specific reuse‑water and setback provisions, replaces a noise metric with an ambient dBA standard for sound studies, and adds measures such as bioretention to boost on‑site stormwater permeability.

Public commenters raised questions about power and water consumption and potential local impacts. ‘‘Data centers are power‑socs; they consume enormous amounts of power, enormous amounts of water,’’ Jason McCoy told the council, asking whether the ordinance would control whether centers brought independent generation or used on‑grid power. Staff responded that updated state policy addresses power‑infrastructure responsibilities and that the ordinance requires closed‑loop water systems to limit freshwater demand.

Several residents also expressed concerns about noise and surveillance. A member of the Green Borough Commission urged the council to ‘‘take their time’’ and consider long‑term effects before final approval. Council members said they had taken public input seriously, noted the planning commission had recommended a different (less restrictive) draft, and described the staff changes as a response to local concerns.

After extended council discussion about notification and opportunity for input, the council voted to move the ordinance forward for second reading rather than adopt final language at first reading. Several council members emphasized the second reading would still allow the public an opportunity to comment before a final vote.

What happens next: The ordinance will return for a second reading, where councilmembers may further amend language or vote to adopt. Staff said required technical studies (noise, traffic, wetlands as applicable) would be conditions of any special‑use permit for a data‑center project.

Quotes (attribution per transcript):
"Data centers have to provide their own infrastructure as it relates to power," Justin said, adding the city had aligned the ordinance with recent state policy. "We reduced that 200 acres down to 50 acres to really focus in on those edge data centers."

"Data centers are power‑socks," Jason McCoy said, asking whether centers would require grid upgrades or off‑grid generation.

The council did not adopt the ordinance tonight; it advanced the revised draft to the next public meeting for additional public comment and a final vote.