Data centers may be developed only through the zoning approvals and procedures required by the ordinance, rather than being allowed to proceed solely under ordinary site-plan review.

A data-center proposal must undergo additional review addressing the proposed campus, buildings, equipment, utilities, access, drainage, landscaping, and other site-development details before construction or expansion can proceed.

The ordinance imposes site-design requirements, including required setbacks, buffering, landscaping, screening, and limits or controls on the placement and appearance of data-center structures and equipment.

Data centers must comply with operating controls for noise, lighting, glare, and similar effects, including controls on generators and other mechanical equipment.

Applicants must address the data center’s impacts on roads, traffic, water, wastewater, drainage, electric infrastructure, and other public facilities as part of the approval process.

Data-center owners or operators must meet continuing operational, inspection, reporting, and compliance obligations after approval, not merely obtain approval to construct the facility.

The ordinance requires planning for closure or decommissioning of a data center and financial or other assurances to address removal of facilities and restoration of the site.

Creates a standalone definition for “data center,” separate from the former “communication service exchange” definition, allowing data centers to be regulated as a distinct land use. (created a standalone definition of “data center”)

Allows data centers to locate in the Industrial General (IG) zoning district through a specific overlay-approval process. A proposal outside the IG district must first obtain a rezoning. (restricted data center uses to the Industrial General (IG) zoning district, subject to an overlay approval process)

Establishes a defined approval pathway: a letter of intent, possible requests for additional information, a Board of Commissioners declaratory resolution, pre-application review, Technical Review Committee review, any required variances, a Plan Commission public hearing, and a Board of Commissioners confirmatory resolution. An improvement location permit may be issued after that process and any required written commitments. (the overlay approval process established by Ordinance 2026-6E)