Fort Smith board approves data center design standards

What happened

The Fort Smith Board of Directors approved design standards for data centers. The decision is a city action involving how data center projects are designed in Fort Smith.

What the standards cover

The board’s action establishes standards tied to data center design. The specific requirements, such as rules for buildings, sites or equipment, are not detailed in the available record of the decision.

Why the action matters

Data centers are a distinct type of development, and the board’s approval creates a city policy for their design. Future discussion of data center proposals in Fort Smith can be measured against the standards approved by the board.

What comes next

The standards will guide the city’s handling of data center design. Details about implementation, affected projects and the full text of the standards should be confirmed through Fort Smith city records and board proceedings.

The development was reported by the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.