Gwangmyeong City Council rejected a proposal to amend urban planning regulations regarding the construction of data centers near residential areas during a session on the 27th.
According to the council, the proposal was voted down during the 301st extraordinary session. Amid conflicting opinions from civic groups and stakeholders regarding the construction of large-scale data centers, the council emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of safety, environmental protection, living rights, and legal validity.
The proposal, recently introduced by Council Member Kim Dong-jin, aimed to supplement regulatory standards for data centers that could be built close to residential areas. A key aspect of the proposal was to establish a new requirement for a distance of 200 to 300 meters between residential areas and data centers.
After in-depth discussions in a special committee, the proposal was put to a vote but was ultimately rejected. Following a request from three or more council members, the proposal was brought back for a vote in the main session, where it was again rejected.
This proposal garnered significant community interest, with approximately 1,700 opinions submitted during the legislative notice process.
Opinions were sharply divided, with some emphasizing the economic benefits and industrial necessity of data center construction, while others expressed concerns about its impact on residential environments, safety, and the environment. In an unusual move, the city council held a session to hear directly from stakeholders during the review process.
The special committee listened to stakeholders for about two hours, broadly examining the necessity of the ordinance amendment, its anticipated impacts, and its legal validity.
Some citizens expressed disappointment over the lack of clear standards for large facilities adjacent to residential areas, while others cautioned against introducing new regulations without thorough review.
Chairperson Hwang Sun-hee emphasized, "This decision does not mean we do not value citizen safety, living rights, and environmental rights." She stated, "The rejection reflects the council's judgment that this is an important issue requiring careful consideration of citizen safety, environmental factors, and legal validity, necessitating more thorough review and in-depth discussions before amending the ordinance."
She added, "The Gwangmyeong City Council will not compromise on the values of protecting citizen safety and quality of life, and we will fulfill that responsibility to the end."
Following the rejection of this proposal, discussions regarding the location of data centers and other large information and communication facilities in Gwangmyeong City, as well as their distance from residential areas and safety and environmental standards, are expected to continue.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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