City of St. Louis Shares Updated Proposal for Data Center Regulation, Invites Public to Second Hearing

The City of St. Louis Planning and Urban Design Agency has shared an updated framework proposal for data center zoning regulations as the City seeks to establish clear and thoughtful rules on where and under what conditions and requirements data centers could be allowed in the City of St. Louis. The second of two public hearings is scheduled for Monday, May 18.

The updated framework, based on additional research and community feedback, treats data centers even more cautiously than the initial framework, includes many changes to the minimum conditions to address specific concerns and requires a community benefits agreement for any large project.

The updated framework is available to the public. All changes, including new requirements and updated language, are highlighted in the report. Key changes include:

• Lowering the megawattage threshold between the "standard" and "major" data center types to better control appropriate development outside of industrial districts
• Establishing new e-waste recycling requirements
• Reorganization of the regulations for clarity and legibility
• Heightened standards for generators to minimize environmental health impacts
• Revising the approach to data centers Downtown and in mixed-use districts to preserve office, retail and housing opportunities, and to remove barriers to adaptive reuse projects
• Revising renewable energy requirements in accordance with technical advice, acknowledging the constraints of limited renewable supply in the region
• Requiring agreements that avoid negative impacts to the City's water system
• Requiring ongoing reporting and monitoring

Community members have shared feedback in writing and at the Feb. 11 Planning Commission public hearing.

A second public hearing will take place in the Kennedy Room (room 208) of City Hall, 1200 Market St., at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 18.

The public hearing may be attended in person and virtually. The Zoom details are:

• https://stlouis-mo-gov.zoom.us/j/81699258307?pwd=Ry90QWdlc2hUZ1ZNeHB5UG4wNXVadz09
• (253) 215-8782
• Meeting ID: 816 9925 8307
• Password: 149154

Written comments may be submitted to the Planning Commission in advance of the May 18 hearing via an online form or by emailing [email protected].

Staff will also present this framework during a Zoom-based informational webinar on May 11 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. This webinar is intended to further explain the updated framework to the public to facilitate further understanding and refinement. The public can join at: https://stlouis-mo-gov.zoom.us/j/82986212175.

The Planning Commission may vote on whether to recommend approval of new data center regulations at the May 18 meeting. Any new zoning rules would only come into effect once passed by the Board of Aldermen and signed by the mayor. Once in effect, new rules would replace the interim approach established by Executive Order 92 and Resolution 111.