Columbiana updated its zoning rules to require data centers to meet new building standards. This ordinance also applies to junkyards. Development of a $200 million data center in the city’s industrial park has prompted the changes, as residents worry about environmental impacts. As a response, the city council for the Shelby County seat voted unanimously to restrict future data centers. According to a copy of the ordinance obtained by AL.com, some of those restrictions include: • A landscape buffer between the data center and the public • Studies to determine that noise from a data center isn’t too disruptive The ordinance also requires data centers to document their projected water and power needs. Reporting by Hannah Denham #datacenter #AI #artificialintelligence #environmentalhealth