Opposition to data centers growing across SC. How will Horry County quell concerns?

Horry County could join the growing list of South Carolina counties allowing data centers, but Horry officials want to set clear regulations first.

“Our zoning ordinance does not currently include standards specific to data centers,” Deputy Planning Director Heather Davis said in a county Infrastructure and Regulation committee meeting last week. “We’re trying to find a place for them to be allowed within our county.”

While the state legislature is considering a few bills to address data center regulations, Horry County wanted to get ahead of the curve for location requirements. No known data center plans have been submitted for approval.

Opposition to data centers has grown in South Carolina and around the U.S. based on high energy costs to noise pollution. As companies look to ramp up their digital processing and artificial intelligence capabilities, they need to build physical warehouses of computers, The State reported. While they may bring jobs and tax revenue, data centers can also strain energy grids and natural resources.

A proposed Horry County ordinance amendment would define data centers, set distance minimums from residential areas and require specific zoning standards depending on the size of the building.

A data center up to 80,000 square feet in size would only be allowed in Limited Industrial and Limited Manufacturing (LI) and Industrial District (MA1) parcels and up to 200,000 square-feet in General Manufacturing and Industrial District (MA2), Heavy/Intense Manufacturing and Industrial District (MA3) and Heavy Industrial (HI) parcels. Data centers exceeding 200,000 square-feet would need a special exception.

The amendment requires data centers to be at least 200 feet from any residentially used or zoned lot. Residents at the meeting didn’t think the amendment would provide enough distance.

“What’s being proposed here regarding the data center is not protective, and it ignores lessons this county should have already learned,” Liz Maciorowski, a Conway resident, said during the public input portion of the meeting. “We already have industrial uses placed far too close to residential communities.”

Considering the impacts existing data centers have had on communities elsewhere in the country — like noise and water pollution, water and electricity usage and quality of life concerns — committee members want to limit potential data centers to areas of the county far from residential developments.

Dennis DiSabato, Horry County council and I&R committee member, was concerned LI parcels are placed too close to residential areas and spread sporadically across the county. He suggested to remove the LI parcels from zoning options, but no further amendments were voted upon.

“I understand the need for this, and I understand why we want to get ahead of the issue,” he said at last week’s meeting. “What I’m concerned about is creating situations where zoning of a right can (have) a negative impact on surrounding communities.”

DiSabato and other committee members agreed there needs to be more research before motioning to move the amendment forward. The next I&R committee meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. June 10.