Data center ordinance

Urged the council to pass an emergency moratorium instead, saying the parish doesn't know enough about data centers and questioning whether buffers and noise rules protect residents.

Entergy Louisiana's economic development VP supported the ordinance, saying tech companies want certainty and speed, and noted large data centers pay their own infrastructure costs.

River Region Chamber of Commerce chair backed responsible data center development as economic growth, while acknowledging residents' questions deserve answers.

Opposed, saying the ordinance lacks real protections — he cited past ZBA cases where buffers were slashed from 2,000 feet to 200 feet and landscaping requirements waived.

Longtime critic who urged the commission to table or scrap the ordinance and form a citizens' committee to study data centers; said the parish has 'just cause' to simply refuse them and questioned the pace of Entergy generator construction.

River Region Chamber of Commerce CEO spoke in support, calling the ordinance a framework that creates structure and guardrails rather than leaving the parish to react with no rules.

Entergy Louisiana's VP of Business and Economic Development spoke in support, describing the Meta and HUT 8 projects and the 'Fair Share Plus' pledge meant to protect existing customers' bills.

Opposed, asking why rush if the parish isn't a target zone; said the ordinance has no caps on building size, power draw, or backup generators, and asked the commission to deny it as presented or demand changes.