Columbia Borough Council could take the next step tonight toward limiting where data centers can be built in town.
On the agenda for the 7 p.m. meeting is a motion to take the proposed zoning change, Ordinance 2026-967, off the table. A second vote would authorize advertising it, which is required before council can adopt it.
As drafted, the ordinance changes Columbia’s table of permitted uses so that data centers are not permitted in the Light Business (LB) district. They would be allowed only as a conditional use in the Light Industrial (LI) and General Industrial (GI) districts. A conditional use needs a public hearing and council approval before it can go forward.
The ordinance says its goal is to let neighborhoods keep their character, protect homeowners’ quality of life and protect property values.
Council tabled the measure on Oct. 27. At that meeting, council reviewed the county planning department’s comments on the ordinance. Councilperson Eric Byers suggested adopting the county’s comment that data centers be allowed by conditional use only in General Industrial, because most Light Industrial land in Columbia sits next to homes. The draft in tonight’s packet still lists both LI and GI, so it is worth watching whether council changes that before advertising.
Residents have been asking about the ordinance’s timing. At the Oct. 27 meeting, a resident asked when the next data center discussion would be held.
Tonight’s vote, if it passes, would only authorize advertising. Final adoption would come at a later meeting.
The meeting is at 7 p.m. in the Paul W. Myers Council Chambers and will be livestreamed on the borough’s YouTube channel.