Augusta leaders hold public meetings on data center ordinance

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta city leaders are inviting the community to review and provide feedback on the Draft Data Center Ordinance.

The draft ordinance is part of an ongoing review process led by Augusta Planning & Development to update local regulations and ensure they better reflect the needs, priorities and long-term growth of the community.

The draft has not been approved or finalized, officials say.

Public meetings will be held at the following dates and times:

• July 6 at 3 p.m.
• July 14 at 1 p.m.
• July 21 at 2 p.m.

All meetings will be located at the Augusta Municipal Building, 535 Telfair Street, in room 291 on the second floor.

“This process is part of Augusta, Georgia Government’s continued commitment to transparency, community engagement and responsible planning,” said Director Adleasia Cameron.

Feedback received during the review period will help inform the next steps in the ordinance review process before the item is presented for consideration by the governing body.

Community members will also be able to review the draft document and submit comments online.

In June, Augusta commissioners imposed a 49-day pause on new data centers. But it didn’t apply to the QTS data center.

Many Haynes Station residents were surprised when groundwork started on the site of the data center along Gordon Highway. Then they found it was an expanded version of a data center that had been approved before their homes were even built.

“ My concern is not simply whether a data center can be built, but it is whether we have enough information to determine it can be built responsibly and sustainably, and whether the public will have meaningful ways to verify that the commitments being made today are honored in the future,” said Suzettra Walker.