HENRY COUNTY, GA — The Henry County Commission has begun the process of drafting a new ordinance to regulate data centers as applications for the facilities increase across metro Atlanta . Commissioner Dee Anglyn says the ordinance is necessary because the county currently has no specific standards in place for data centers. “With that being said, there are currently no standards that we have in place to protect you, the residents, plus its Henry Countians,” Anglyn said. She added the county fully expects to receive more data center applications in the near future. Planning and zoning officials say their first draft is one of the more restrictive frameworks in the area. The proposal considers where data centers would be allowed, minimum site size, required setbacks from public rights of way, additional buffers from non-industrial uses, and larger setbacks from existing residential neighborhoods. Kamau As‑Salaam, Henry County’s planning and zoning assistant director, says data center proposals are currently evaluated using general industrial zoning rules that were not designed for such intensive use. Commissioners are also discussing possible restrictions related to water use.
