GTA Construction News staff writer
Mississauga council has approved a motion to temporarily halt approvals for new data centres while the city reviews its planning policies for the rapidly expanding sector.
The motion directs staff to prepare an interim control bylaw (ICBL) that, if approved by council on Sept. 16, would prohibit approvals for data centres and other digital infrastructure projects for up to one year under Ontario’s Planning Act.
A temporary pause would allow the city to complete a comprehensive review of the planning implications of data centres and determine whether changes are needed to its Official Plan and zoning bylaw.
The review will examine the impact of data centres on municipal infrastructure, economic activity, the environment, noise, and energy and water consumption. It will also consider the role of the provincial and federal governments in regulating the sector and include opportunities for public consultation.
Data centres are secure facilities that house computer servers used to store and process digital information for services including banking, health care, business operations, cloud computing and artificial intelligence applications.
Mississauga has received a rezoning application to permit a data centre in the Meadowvale Business Park. Data centres are currently permitted in designated employment areas, where they are classified as warehousing, distribution and wholesaling under the Official Plan and as warehouse/distribution or science and technology facilities under the zoning bylaw.
Several data centres already operate in the city. Staff said the review will consider whether the existing planning classifications remain appropriate as larger facilities are proposed.
Staff will present the proposed interim control bylaw to council on Sept. 16. If approved, new data centre development would be prohibited until the bylaw expires.
An interim report outlining the study’s scope, consultation strategy and timelines is expected this fall. Staff will return to council with recommendations once the review is complete.
