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The Data Center Divide

City of Nome

Neutral Data Center Policies

Nome’s downtown zoning may allow data centers as warehousing and storage, with buildings at lot lines in the Downtown Core, but data centers aren’t specifically addressed and the rules apply only downtown.

current law · City of Nome
Establishes the Downtown Mixed Use District to encourage active commercial development and contextually appropriate residential uses, with retail, offices, multifamily dwellings, and other commercial, civic, marine, and service uses permitted by right.Nome Ordinance Adding Chapter 18.62 Downtown Mixed Use District

What this means

The ordinance modestly helps if a data center is treated as permitted “warehousing and storage” in the mapped downtown districts, and the Downtown Core district allows buildings at lot lines. Data centers are not specifically addressed, and these zoning changes apply only to downtown areas, so the practical benefit is limited and uncertain. Warehousing and storage

People behind it

  • Prepared the new downtown zoning districts and developed the draft ordinance.

  • City Planner who authored the planning memo outlining the ordinance and proposed adoption process.

  • Moved the ordinance from first reading to second reading before the Common Council.

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  • Seconded the motion to advance the ordinance to second reading.

  • Introduced, considered, and enacted the ordinance amending the zoning map and Title 18.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements5

  • In the new Downtown Mixed Use and Downtown Core Mixed Use districts, a data-center site would need a minimum lot area of 5,000 square feet. The minimum lot area shall be five thousand square feet.

  • Building setbacks apply in both new districts: at least 0 feet from dedicated rights-of-way and 10 feet from the top bank of a drainage ditch or a closed drainage system. The Downtown Mixed Use district also requires 5-foot setbacks from other lot boundaries, while the Downtown Core Mixed Use district permits 0-foot setbacks from other boundaries. Building setbacks.

  • Development in either new district must provide a drainage system that directs all runoff into an engineered or natural drainage system consistent with the city's drainage management plan. The development shall provide a drainage system.

  • Development activities may not adversely affect other properties through altered drainage, ponding, slope failure, erosion, or siltation; developers must install necessary measures such as culverts or buffers. Exposed and disturbed soils must also be protected against erosion, and drainage stabilization requires city-approved best management practices. Site Development Standards.

  • The ordinance limits the new zoning districts to the locations shown on the amended zoning map, so development benefits and permitted-use rules under these districts apply only within the mapped Downtown Mixed Use or Downtown Core Mixed Use areas. The Zoning Map is hereby amended.

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions7

  • In both the Downtown Mixed Use and Downtown Core Mixed Use districts, offices are permitted by right, providing a direct permitting pathway for data-center administrative and operational facilities.

  • Warehousing and storage are permitted by right in both new downtown mixed-use districts, which can facilitate data-center equipment, inventory, and related storage uses.

  • Incidental small-scale manufacturing, processing, and on-premises storage of goods for wholesale or retail sale are permitted by right in both districts, potentially accommodating limited ancillary equipment-processing or fabrication activities.

  • Buildings in both districts may be placed directly at dedicated rights-of-way, eliminating the otherwise applicable front setback requirement.

  • The Downtown Core Mixed Use District permits buildings to have zero-foot setbacks from other lot boundaries, allowing more intensive use of constrained sites and easier expansion or redevelopment of existing structures.

  • Public utility facilities or structures may be approved through a conditional-use permit in both districts, providing a regulatory pathway for utility infrastructure associated with high-demand facilities.

  • The districts allow a range of transportation facilities, including bus and taxi operations, by right, which can support employee and service access to facilities located there.

Sources

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