Officials propose new zoning to manage growth of data centers

By Ruben Lowman

As state lawmakers in Columbia work to establish a statewide framework for the rapidly-developing digital economy, Horry County officials are taking proactive steps to regulate how data centers and artificial intelligence factories are integrated into local communities.

The county council infrastructure and planning subcommittee reviewed a proposed ordinance on April 14 that would finally establish clear standards for the construction and placement of these massive facilities.

Currently, the county zoning code lacks specific language regarding data centers, which has created uncertainty for planners and developers alike as interest in the region grows.

By defining these standards now county officials aim to address potential issues regarding noise levels, the massive scale of the buildings and their overall compatibility with existing neighborhoods in the northern end of the county.

The proposed text amendment suggests strict conditions for any new data center projects, including mandatory separation distances from residential districts to protect the quiet character of local communities.

Under the draft rules, building sizes would be capped between 80,000 and 200,000 square feet depending on the specific zoning of the land, with any facility exceeding those dimensions requiring a special-use exception.

This is particularly relevant for the developing corridors around Longs and Loris where large tracts of land might otherwise be targeted for these power hungry facilities.

Local leaders are focused on ensuring that if these centers come to the area they do not place an undue burden on the energy and water resources that these communities and other depend on everyday.

This local push for control mirrors a broader legislative effort at the state house, where bills are being debated to ensure data centers cover their own infrastructure and consumption costs.

With over 4,000 such facilities already operating across the country, the Palmetto State is seeing a record surge in construction and investment in the sector.

By attempting to move forward with these local zoning standards, Horry County officials are positioning themselves to manage the rise of the digital economy while aiming to control the quality of life for citizens.