The Agenda: Fayetteville revisits data center rules

📑 The big picture: The state's data center boom hasn't made its way to the northwest corner, but Fayetteville is preemptively establishing regulations.

✍️ Some of the proposed additions include:

• Requiring an annual report on the data center's compliance with permits and regulations, any complaints about that compliance and the operator's response to those complaints.
• Requiring that data centers use battery storage as the primary power backup source and not allowing backup generators unless battery storage is limited to 25% or less.
• Considering noise from a data center a disturbance if it is “plainly audible” at a residence 1,000 feet away.
• Requiring an amendment to a data center's permit for any expansion.

Go deeper: See all current and proposed rules.

🚧 Zoom out: The council will also vote on a contract worth about $14.9 million with Crossland Heavy Contractors for the construction of the Highway 112 widening project. The Arkansas Department of Transportation is covering about $13.9 million of the cost, according to city documents.

📍 If you go: 5:30pm at City Hall or online.