Data Center Zoning Standards

At a glance

• What: a zoning text amendment defining data centers and setting standards for them.
• Where it stands: The Planning Commission recommended the amendment 4-0 on 2026-10-22.
• Next: City Council consideration; no date in the records read.

Details

• Text of the amendment was not read.

Sources

• Planning Commission hearing results of 2026-10-22: https://www.norfolk.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09222026-1320

Log

2026-10-08 - Planning Commission

• Staff summarized small-scale (under 30,000 square feet, under 25 MW) and large-scale definitions, districts and three performance standards; commissioners asked about cooling-water runoff and closed-loop systems. No vote.

2026-10-22 - Planning Commission Public Hearing

• Text amendments recommended 4-0: faith-based and nonprofit housing (Faith-Based and Nonprofit Housing Zoning), data center definition and standards (Data Center Zoning Standards) and marijuana business categories (Marijuana Business Zoning Categories).

2026-10-27 - City Council Work Session

• Previewed as an upcoming text amendment requested by the Planning Commission.

2026-10-22 - Planning Commission Public Hearing

• Staff proposed separate small- and large-scale definitions with performance standards; large centers need a conditional use permit. No testimony.

2026-10-22 - Planning Commission

• Preview: hazard mitigation plan for groundwater infiltration added.