Burlington Ward Two Councillor and Mayoralty candidate Lisa Kearns has announced plans for a technology hub / AI Data Centre in Burlington, expressing her concern that “is moving along, potentially unchecked, and I’m concerned. So, I’m motioning to have this addressed, urgently.” She intends to urge the council to create a Municipal Framework on AI Data Centres or compile a list of options to manage and regulate the impacts of these Centres.
Kearns states, “Burlington does not have any Zoning or Land Use provisions related to this type of use so any applications would be ‘allowed’ without any public or Council input or review. In the current framework, a data centre is a permitted use.” This mirrors the situation in Hamilton where zoning exists that would essentially allow an AI centre on Stelco lands. Kearns hopes council will implement something similar to Hamilton’s one-year moratorium on AI centres until standards can be established.
The planned AI centre is set to be located on the South Service Road near Guelph Line. It will cover approximately 60,000 square feet and is expected to consume around 20 megawatts of electricity. The cooling system will utilize air instead of water.
Burlington Councillors learned about this proposal after the recent Committee of the Whole meeting. Kearns emphasizes that it’s urgent for council to take action because the lame duck rules will come into effect after July 21 and limit their ability to act until after the election. Three members of Burlington council are vying for Mayor while Councillor Stolte has indicated she won’t seek re-election.
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