Gilpin supervisors want residents’ opinions as they consider sweeping amendments to the township’s zoning ordinance, including more regulation of potential data centers.
Supervisors will hold a public hearing at 5:45 p.m. July 21 at the township’s municipal building to discuss the amendments.
Supervisor Charles Stull has said the amendments would update the township’s data center ordinance’s sound standards, bolstering regulations the township already has in place.
“The data center updates would include sound testing, baseline sound studies before construction, review of low-frequency noise and humming and ongoing compliance after the use is operating,” he said in a social media post.
In response to residents’ questions, Stull explained the township is unable to place an outright ban on data centers since that would be considered exclusionary zoning, something prohibited by state law.
“What we can do, and what this amendment is intended to do, is to build on our already strong, reasonable regulations that we have previously put in place. That includes limiting where a use can occur, requiring a conditional use hearing with full public input, and setting strict standards for things like setbacks, noise, environmental impact, infrastructure and safety,” he said.
“This approach ensures that if something is ever proposed, it goes through a very thorough vetting process with community involvement, rather than leaving the township exposed with little ability to regulate it at all.”
The amendment also includes changes to zoning uses, similar use reviews, private non-commercial garages, seasonal campgrounds and related uses.
Under the proposed similar use review process, if a proposed use is similar to an already permitted use, it could be reviewed as a permitted use. If it’s similar to a conditional use, then the process would follow a conditional use permitting process.
The 16 proposed zoning changes affect all zoning districts, including recreational, residential, business, agricultural and industrial zones.