Ozark City Council Adds Strict Hurdles for Data Center Development

The Ozark board of aldermen voted unanimously to amend the city ordinance governing data center development. The new rules introduce mandatory requirements regarding water use, noise monitoring, and public transparency for any such projects. These requirements include holding mandatory neighborhood meetings for surrounding residents to voice opinions and maintaining a public website to document all received complaints and their responses. Chris Aiken, the city’s Mayor Pro Tem, confirmed these requirements, noting they address citizen concerns regarding potential data center consumption of water and electricity.

The changes introduce significant operational and regulatory hurdles for companies seeking to develop data centers within the city limits. The new ordinance requires developers to incorporate efficient cooling systems and submit detailed reports regarding utility consumption.