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VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - The Lowndes County Board of Commissioners approved a major rezoning on Coleman Road while stressing that no data center project has been proposed, approved or permitted in the county.

On July 8, 2025, commissioners voted to rezone approximately 719 acres known as REZ-2025-11 on Coleman Road from C-C (Crossroads Commercial) and CON (Conservation District) to M-1 (Light Manufacturing) and CON. The approval includes seven specific conditions designed to protect surrounding neighborhoods and guide any future development on the site.

Conditions on the Coleman Road Rezoning

As part of the rezoning, the board attached the following requirements:

1. No vehicle access will be allowed from the property to Briarberry Drive or Quail Hollow Circle.
2. If a future change in use requires upgrades to transportation or water/sewer infrastructure, the developer must pay for the design, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation and construction of those improvements.
3. All lots created on the property must front interior roads rather than existing neighborhood streets.
4. A 200-foot undisturbed buffer must be maintained along the northern and southern property lines where the site abuts existing residential zoning districts.
5. Any lighting on the property must be shielded and directed so that it does not directly illuminate adjacent residential properties.
6. Any loudspeakers, paging systems or electromagnetic interference generated on the site must be designed and operated so they are not discernable at the property line of any adjoining residentially zoned property.
7. Correctional facilities, transitional care facilities and kennels with outdoor runs are prohibited on the property.

What the Rezoning Means for a Potential Data Center

Under Lowndes County’s Unified Land Development Code, data centers are allowed in seven different zoning districts, including certain manufacturing classifications such as M-1. The new zoning on Coleman Road therefore makes a data center one possible future use of the site—but county officials emphasize that the rezoning is not an automatic approval for any such project.

Any data center large enough to have regional impacts would be subject to the state’s Development of Regional Impact (DRI) process. DRIs are large-scale projects that are reviewed for their potential effects beyond the boundaries of the local jurisdiction, taking into account both positive and negative impacts.

County officials note that, even for properly zoned property, additional conditions related to buffers; setbacks; water consumption and discharge; traffic; noise; electricity; drainage, and other impacts can be imposed before any project moves forward or permits are issued. Significant due diligence would be required before a data center could be approved and developed in Lowndes County.

Technical Review Committee: Next Step for Any Proposal

For any company interested in siting a data center on a parcel with appropriate zoning, the next step would be to meet with the county’s Technical Review Committee (TRC).

The TRC is made up of state and county staff from departments directly involved in the development process, including health, utilities, planning and zoning, permitting and inspections, engineering, fire and rescue and others. During a TRC meeting, staff convey specific development requirements and discuss issues such as:

• Water usage and discharge
• Required buffers and setbacks
• Land disturbance and site design
• Noise, lighting and other operational impacts

Any permits and ongoing operations would be conditioned on meeting ordinance-based requirements. Additional, project-specific conditions can also be added as part of this review. Although the TRC is a staff-led process, members of the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners frequently attend to monitor communications and staff guidance.

County Working on Data Center-Specific Rules

Lowndes County does not have an ordinance tailored specifically to data centers beyond its general standards for light manufacturing. County leaders say those general standards are not sufficient on their own.

Commissioners have directed staff to research best practices and lessons learned from other Georgia communities that have seen both positive and negative impacts from data centers. That work includes:

• Gathering information from other counties and cities with data center experience
• Consulting with the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia
• Holding discussions with elected officials in other jurisdictions
• Planning site visits to operating data center projects
• Reviewing ordinances adopted elsewhere to address data center-related challenges

County officials stress that meeting with the TRC before a new, data center-specific ordinance is adopted would not guarantee approval of any project. The absence of a specific ordinance does not mean a data center would automatically be permitted.

No Decision Yet on Allowing or Prohibiting Data Centers

The county stressed that it shares residents’ interests and concerns about data center development. Officials said no final decision has been made either to welcome or to prohibit data centers in Lowndes County.

Instead, the Board describes the current phase as one of research and exploration. Staff and commissioners will continue gathering information and public input before drafting any official policy. The county has committed to ongoing public updates about its progress and any official actions related to potential data center projects.

At this time, county staff confirm:

• No data center plans have been submitted
• No data center permits have been requested
• No data center permits have been issued in Lowndes County

Upcoming Commission Meeting and Public Participation

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners will be held Tuesday, March 10, at 5:30 p.m. at the Lowndes County Administrative Building, 325 North Ashley Street in Valdosta.

County officials note that, despite some social media reports, there is no agenda item scheduled for that meeting specifically to discuss or consider data centers or a data center project.

Residents who wish to address the Board on any topic, including data centers, may do so by completing a “Citizens Wishing to be Heard” form before the meeting is called to order at 5:30 p.m. The forms must be turned in to the County Clerk prior to the start of the meeting.

County leaders said they look forward to continuing to work with citizens as they move through the education and policy development process related to data centers and other large-scale industrial uses in Lowndes County.

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