Tulsa's Planning Office has drawn up a blueprint for keeping the next Project Anthem-sized data center farther from front yards, proposing new size categories, bigger setbacks and stronger landscaping rules ahead of a deadline that's bearing down fast on City Hall. The draft report, made public this week, lands as the city's year-long pause on hyperscale data center construction is set to expire at the end of December.
According to the Tulsa World, the draft recommends three new industrial-use subcategories for data centers based on size, with facility locations limited according to which category they fall into. The report would restrict by-right hyperscale construction to just two zoning districts.
Tulsa Flyer's account describes the small category as reaching up to 20,000 square feet, with medium spanning 20,000 to 100,000 square feet and large still topping 100,000 square feet.
Setbacks Would Grow Thirtyfold for the Biggest Facilities
Under the proposed amendments, hyperscale data centers would only be allowed by right in areas zoned moderate or heavy industrial, a tightening from current rules. Tulsa's zoning code currently permits data centers in industrial-light zones, per Tulsa Flyer's reporting on the city's review.
The setback changes are the most dramatic piece of the proposal. Tulsa Flyer reported that the proposal would increase the setback from 250 feet to 1,500 feet to minimize effects on residential areas, while noting that data centers under 5,000 square feet would still be permitted in certain office and commercial spaces. Large data center developments, per that outlet's account, would be permitted only in industrial zones designated for activities carrying moderate to substantial adverse environmental impacts.
Beyond distance, the draft also calls for stronger landscaping regulations.
A Moratorium Born From Project Anthem Backlash
The City Council charged the Planning Office with reviewing data center zoning regulations and recommending modifications after approving a moratorium on hyperscale data center construction through the end of the year. News On 6 reported the review began amid concerns that existing standards don't reflect how these facilities actually operate. Councilor Laura Bellis, the lead proponent of the moratorium, told the station that the two-year-old zoning code for data centers doesn't apply to the larger data centers now being developed nationwide.
That moratorium traces back to community backlash over Project Anthem, a $1 billion, 340-acre data center Meta has been developing in east Tulsa, where construction has already begun, according to The Frontier. Oklahoma's Commerce Department has described the broader Fair Oaks Innovation Park site, where Meta is the first anchor tenant, as eventually hosting a Tulsa Data Center spanning more than 2 million square feet. Tulsa Flyer's account of the city's timeline states the moratorium took effect March 25 and expires Dec. 31.
Final zoning recommendations are due to reach the full Council in November, according to Tulsa Flyer, following additional Planning Office reports expected in August and October.
Bellis Wants Environmental Review Built Into Permitting
Bellis has said Tulsa's zoning code did not adequately address larger data centers.
Water use and electricity demand are among the concerns raised about data centers.
Tulsa Isn't Alone in Weighing the Tradeoffs
Tulsa's review is unfolding against a statewide data center boom. The Frontier identified at least 18 Oklahoma data center projects now under construction or awaiting government approvals, and reported that the state's two largest utilities say new demand from data centers and other industries will require more power than they can currently produce. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has ordered OG&E to develop a new tariff plan for large users such as data centers by July 2026.
Other Oklahoma cities are grappling with similar questions. Broken Arrow has adopted its own moratorium and formed a committee to study the industry's impacts and recommend zoning regulations, according to Tulsa Flyer. The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality notes that once a project site is selected, facilities may be required to obtain state permits depending on the nature and scope of proposed activities.
