Essex County Council has voted to review how artificial intelligence data centres could be regulated in the community. At its August 5 meeting, council unanimously approved a motion from Kingsville Deputy Mayor Kimberly DeYong to have administration study county land-use policies for such facilities and report back on possible next steps.
The motion asks staff to provide an initial report on what a study would involve as well as a plan to engage the public. Lakeshore Mayor Tracey Bailey added an amendment stating the county is not endorsing, encouraging, or facilitating AI data centre development.
Harrow resident Tyler Reh spoke to council before the vote and submitted a petition with about 500 signatures supporting the study. DeYong said she would not welcome this type of development in her community, adding, “Definitely not at this time. Maybe never.”
Rebecca Belanger, Amherstburg’s manager of planning and development services, told council the county does not have the authority to place a moratorium on AI data centre construction. Only individual municipalities can pass interim control bylaws to halt development for up to one year.
There are no current or pending AI data centre applications in Essex County, but DeYong warned proposals can come quickly. The County of Essex will now develop a public engagement strategy to help decide if a third-party study is needed.
