Data Centers

Hot4 decisions tracked

Everything we've tracked on this issue in St. Charles Parish government.

Decisions on Data Centers

Approved9-02026-0170Parish Council · Jun 1

An ordinance amending the parish zoning code to define data centers, permit them in M1 and M2 industrial districts, and establish supplemental regulations including noise and adjacency standards.

Moved by Michelle O'DanielsSeconded by Michele deBruler

Yea (9)Michael A. Mobley, Holly Fonseca, La Sandra D. Wilson, Heather Skiba, Walter Pilié, Willie Comardelle, Michelle O'Daniels, Bob Fisher, Michele deBruler

Approved2026-3-ORDPlanning & Zoning Commission · May 7

Amend Zoning Ordinance to add data center definitions and regulations

Amends the St. Charles Parish Zoning Ordinance of 1981 to define data centers, permit them in the M1 and M2 manufacturing and industry districts, and add performance regulations including buffers, landscaping, berming, and noise restrictions. The recommendation includes three amendments clarifying M1 must be on grid power, removing a redundant landscaping warranty clause, and adding a notwithstanding clause making the parish noise ordinance the controlling standard.

unknown2026-0089Legislative Committee · Apr 6

Code revisions regarding data centers

The ordinance defines data centers and establishes zoning rules that place smaller facilities in M1 light industrial districts and large self-power-generating facilities in M2 heavy industrial districts. It sets a 300 foot residential buffer, landscaping and berm options, a 55 decibel noise limit at property lines, and equipment screening requirements.

Denied3-52026-0114Parish Council · Apr 6

Data Center Moratorium

An ordinance to enact a moratorium on permitting, approval, and construction of data center facilities in the parish. An amendment to shorten the moratorium from twelve months to eight months and add clarifying language passed, but the overall moratorium ordinance ultimately failed.

Moved by Holly FonsecaSeconded by Bob Fisher

Yea (3)La Sandra D. Wilson, Walter Pilié, Michelle O'Daniels

Nay (5)Michael A. Mobley, Holly Fonseca, Heather Skiba, Willie Comardelle, Bob Fisher

Absent (1)Michele deBruler

What Residents Have Said

Flo Dumas voiced Chamber of Commerce support for responsible data center development in the parish. (Jun 1)
Michelle Berg spoke in support of the ordinance, saying clear zoning rules help attract responsible data center investment. (Jun 1)
Alamo urged the council to impose a moratorium on data centers, arguing the parish lacks sufficient knowledge to regulate them properly. (Jun 1)
Michelle Berg spoke in support of the ordinance on behalf of Entergy Louisiana, saying clear zoning standards help attract responsible investment. (May 7)
Wendy Grayson spoke against the ordinance, arguing it lacks limits on data center size, power generation, and backup generators. (May 7)
Ray Gregson spoke in support of the data center ordinance, saying it provides needed structure and clarity for businesses and residents. (May 7)
Jeff Grayson spoke against the data center ordinance, citing examples of buffer reductions and landscaping variances granted by the ZBA. (May 7)
Courtney Fickus expressed concern that data centers and AI investment are not in the community's best interest and cause pollution. (Apr 6)
Rebecca Hilburn asked what penalties would apply if data centers violated regulations. (Apr 6)
Andrew Marcus expressed support for bringing data centers to St. Charles Parish citing tax and infrastructure benefits. (Apr 6)
George Vance argued the setbacks and noise mitigation measures are insufficient once backup generators run during outages. (Apr 6)
Joseph Coco raised concerns that the ordinance does not distinguish AI data centers from general data centers and lacks water and electrical demand provisions. (Apr 6)
A property owner questioned council members about potential impacts to property values and asked for more caution before allowing data centers. (Apr 6)
A St. Rose resident expressed concern about losing rural land and noise impacts from potential data centers near her property. (Apr 6)
A Montz resident cited a past experience with an unwanted gas turbine facility and urged the council to research thoroughly before deciding on data centers. (Apr 6)
A St. Rose resident raised concerns about power grid reliability and toxic water disposal from data centers and supported the moratorium. (Apr 6)
An Entergy representative opposed the moratorium, arguing it could deter data center investment and cited economic benefits from the FairShare Plus program. (Apr 6)
The Chamber of Commerce CEO opposed the moratorium, calling it a blunt instrument compared to the targeted zoning ordinance already underway. (Apr 6)
Rebecca Hilburn asked the council to consider protections for residents' quality of life beyond fines and fees during the moratorium period. (Apr 6)
Joseph Coco supported the moratorium, arguing the pending ordinance does not adequately address setbacks, water use, and electrical load for AI data centers. (Apr 6)
Joey Edwards supported the moratorium, citing concerns about a hyperscale data center project in another parish. (Apr 6)
Rebecca Hilburn asked for the council's rationale for shortening the moratorium period. (Apr 6)
Joey Edwards asked why the moratorium time frame was shortened from twelve to eight months. (Apr 6)

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