Public Hearing Scheduled for Proposed Data Center Ordinance in Smyth County.
BY Vivian Knox
A public hearing on proposed Data center ordinance will be held on July 9, 2026 at 5:00 pm.
If you wish to speak you should arrive early.
The proposed ordinance establishes definitions, application requirements, and standards for data center development within Smyth County. According to the draft ordinance, it addresses topics such as project applications, decommissioning plans, compatibility with surrounding land use, infrastructure, and restoration requirements.
Some topics citizens may wish to consider include:
Public Notification Requirements
Water use and long-term water availability
Electrical infrastructure and grid capacity
Traffic impacts during construction and operation
Noise standards
Landscaping and visual buffering
Environmental protections
Emergency response planning
Decommissioning requirements and financial assurances
Ongoing public transparency and reporting
Opportunities for continued public input as projects progress
Public Participation and Transparency
Will future data center applications always require a public hearing before approval?
Can the ordinance require multiple public hearings before approval?