<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0aLJ2q_1GWHAcbH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0aLJ2q_1GWHAcbH00" width="1000" height="592" ><figcaption>Marana’s new data center amendments strengthen noise limits and decommissioning requirements, though some are dissatisfied.&nbsp; (File Photo)</figcaption></figure>Marana Town Council voted 5-1 to approve new data center regulations addressing noise attenuation and facility decommissioning.These amendments to the town code first passed through Marana’s planning commission with a unanimous vote during a late September session. The ordinances strengthen and clarify those that the town established in 2024, though some have expressed that rules are still not strong enough, as the reality of data centers in Marana grows near. In January of this year, the town approved plans to rezone over 600 acres of agricultural land for a hyperscale data center along Luckett Road developed by Beale Infrastructure.At the Oct. 20 public hearing, Mayor Jon Post and council members heard the amendments from development services director Brett Wittenberg and town attorney Jane Fairall.The revisions tighten the noise requirements to include tonal, ambient and low frequency noise, the latter of which Samuel Hord, an acoustical consultant, said takes into account low, rumbling sounds from sources like “compressors and diesel trucks.” With help from MD Acoustics, the town elucidated methodologies and standards of measuring noise.They also establish guidelines for shutting down data centers, including a 180-day window to begin decommissioning after ceasing operations and a subsequent 12-month window to complete the process, along with minimum requirements.Mayor Post asked about the town’s response to a data center that fails to meet the sound standards.Fairall outlined that, if a data center cannot meet the noise requirements in an initial sound study, the town will postpone its permanent certificate of occupancy until it can. Once operational, the facility will undergo annual sound studies for five years, and failures to correct violations will lead to fines and potentially more extreme measures.“We can cite, we can fine, we can take action on a business license, we can go to court and get emergency injunctions,” Fairall said. “If there is an abatement order issued by a court, we can even pursue criminal offences for failure to abate, which could result in jail time.”Councilmember Cavanaugh brought up the possibility of billion-dollar companies disregarding the requirements and treating the town’s fines as a “cost of doing business.”“They may try to do that, they may not,” Fairall said, adding that “the town will do whatever it can, if we have a business that is not operating in good faith, to try to come within any of the code provisions.”Several community members pushed back on the amendments during public comments. Sue Ritz, who ran for Marana Town Council this year, said the ordinances fail to address issues like chemical contamination and pollution. Another speaker brought up concerns of excessive nighttime light for nearby residents.Ultimately, Councilmember Patrick Cavanaugh delivered the singular vote in opposition to the amendments, after previously voting in favor of the two hyperscale data center developments.“Based on a broader understanding I have come to regret that vote,” Cavanaugh said. “I believe it’s important to be honest with our residents about this. I appreciate greatly the effort to strengthen our data center ordinance, however my concern is whether these noise protections will actually be enforceable.“If a data center exceeds the noise limits or the decommissioning requirements, we must ensure that the operator corrects the problem rather than just simply treating a fine as a cost of doing business. Our residents deserve meaningful protection, clear, enforceable requirements for correcting violations, and consequences that hold operators accountable.“I recognize the importance of economic development, but we also have a responsibility to protect our residents’ quality of life. I am not satisfied with this ordinance as written, and not satisfied that it provides the assurances they deserve.”</div></body>

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Marana Town Council voted 5-1 to approve new data center regulations addressing noise attenuation and facility decommissioning. These amendments to the town code first passed through Marana’s planning commission with a unanimous vote during a late September session. The ordinances strengthen and clarify those that the town established in 2024, though some have expressed that rules are still not strong enough, as the reality of data centers in Marana grows near. In January of this year, the town approved plans to rezone over 600 acres of agricultural land for a hyperscale data center along Luckett Road developed by Beale Infrastructure.

Marana Council approves data center regulations

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Marana Town Council voted 5-1 to approve new data center regulations addressing noise attenuation and facility decommissioning. These amendments to the tow

Marana Council approves data center regulations

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