Ontario Construction News staff writer
Oakville council has approved a one-year interim control bylaw that restricts new development related to data centres and other high-intensity digital processing facilities while the town studies their potential impacts.
The bylaw, approved last week at a special council meeting, applies to data centres, enterprise computing facilities and similar operations.
The one-year pause will allow municipal staff to review the town’s Official Plan policies and zoning bylaw regulations for the facilities.
A study will examine potential impacts involving noise, vibration, emissions and land-use compatibility, as well as municipal responsibilities related to environmental sustainability, energy supply and affordability, water supply and other utility infrastructure.
The measure will provide time for the town to complete its review and determine whether changes to its planning framework are necessary.
“In my time as your mayor, we have been guided by the precautionary principle, and that means acting now and not waiting,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “A data centre could happen anywhere in town. There is no application before us, and this bylaw gives us a good base from which to move forward in our research. We will continue to do what we have always done, which is protect our town.”
Oakville’s move comes as municipalities across Ontario grapple with the rapid expansion of data centres associated with artificial intelligence:
- Hamilton city council rejected a proposed one-year moratorium on new AI data centres in July by a 10-6 vote, after initially directing staff to prepare the proposed bylaw. The proposed pause was intended to give the city time to develop a framework for future data centre development.
- Mississauga has also moved toward a possible pause. A councillor has proposed a notice of motion seeking a temporary halt to new AI data centre development while the city examines potential impacts on infrastructure and residential communities.
- Waterloo Region council voted last week to direct staff to study the impacts of data centres and consider advocating for a provincial framework to assess and manage proposed developments.
- Toronto city council has also passed a motion calling for further study of data centre development.
Oakville Coun. Tom Adams said the bylaw will allow the town to establish safeguards before proposals are submitted.
“Council took decisive action to make sure Oakville has the right safeguards in place before any proposals come forward,” he said. “Data centres can have significant impacts on land use, infrastructure, energy and water, and we need to understand those implications fully.
“This one-year moratorium gives us the time to do the necessary work and ensure future decisions are made in the best interests of Oakville.”
The Planning Act allows municipalities to pass an interim control bylaw for up to one year while completing a land-use planning study. The bylaw can be extended for a total period of up to two years from the date it was enacted.
