Arlington officials are exploring areas within city limits where data centers could be located, along with standards for how they would operate. Council members saw proposed ordinances for the first time at a Tuesday meeting. The drafts outline zoning districts for certain data centers and cover those that operate in their own buildings, in shared spaces, or as accessories to larger infrastructure.
Land development assistant director Kenneth Bloom said the ordinances were built around the types of data centers most likely to operate in Arlington, given the city's limited available land. According to city documents, an enterprise facility, which is often run by a single company to process its own data, is the type most likely to locate in the city. These typically require 5 to 10 acres. D.R. Horton's facility off Interstate 30 in north Arlington was cited as an example.
According to city documents, stand-alone data centers would be allowed only in light industrial and industrial manufacturing districts, with a specific use permit. They would also be allowed in planned development districts if the project is specifically identified.