A conversation that started earlier this month about data centres in Terrace is now turning into potential zoning changes.
During its Jun. 22 meeting, Terrace council directed staff to begin drafting rules that could determine where future data centres are built and how large they can become.
The move follows a motion introduced by Councillor James Cordeiro earlier this month asking staff to examine whether data centres should be regulated differently than other industrial developments.
According to a staff report, the city has received interest from several investors looking at data centre projects in recent years, including proposals in the Skeena Industrial Development Park near the Northwest Regional Airport. Staff have also been researching the industry since 2022.
Data centres are not currently defined in Terrace’s zoning bylaw and are generally treated as industrial developments. However, city staff say the facilities can have unique impacts because of their large power demands, land requirements and infrastructure needs.
One option being considered would limit data centres to specific lands within the Skeena Industrial Development Park. Council also discussed the possibility of placing limits on the size of future facilities.
“I think everybody here will agree. We want public input on this. We want to hear what the public says,” Cordeiro said during the discussion.
Mayor Sean Bujtas agreed, saying residents should have opportunities to share their views as the process moves forward.
“We need to just make sure that people have their ability to come and speak and say how they feel,” he said.
Council ultimately directed staff to prepare zoning amendments defining data centres, reviewing where they may be located and considering restrictions on facility size. The proposed changes will return to council at a future meeting.
