Gilbert officials are looking to put some of the Valley’s toughest restrictions on data centers into town code amid concerns about their potential effects on water, electricity and neighboring residents.
The proposed land development code amendment would limit primary data centers to light industrial and general industrial zoning districts, require greater setbacks from homes, restrict their water use and impose standards covering noise, lighting, landscaping, building design and fire safety.
But Gilbert Town Council members reviewing the proposal during an Aug. 11 study session pushed staff to go further, particularly on water use and ensuring council has the final say over major data center proposals.
