anchorage gets ahead of ai

Anchorage just passed rules for data centers before a single one has been proposed here.

The Assembly adopted a new ordinance that restricts data centers to commercial and industrial zones only. That means no data center showing up next to a residential neighborhood on the Hillside or in South Addition.

The new rules also require landscaping buffers and enclosed equipment to cut down on noise and the industrial look. Before any project can move forward, local utilities have to sign off that they have enough power capacity to handle the added load. A public review process is baked in as well.

Here is what they were solving for. Cities that let big tech move in without rules saw utility costs climb for nearby residents. Anchorage watched that happen elsewhere and decided to set the terms first. Two Assembly members voted no, but the majority wanted guardrails in place before the first application ever lands.

Anchorage said grow, but on our own terms.