The Guam Hybrid Land Use Commission approved height variances for a fence and a water tower at the site of a proposed 50,000-square-foot data center near Tanguisson Beach Road.
The data center, which is planned for lots that straddle the border of Dededo and Tamuning, will be located next to the Core Tech properties near the wastewater treatment plant. The facility will be about 1,000 feet from the entrance to Two Lovers’ Point.
Approval of the data center was not before the commission, but Marvin Aguilar of TG Engineers, representing applicant Pipefish Services, explained why the height variances for the fence and the tower were necessary.
The 8-foot-high fence would be 2 feet taller than the 6-foot limit, and the design is similar the fence surrounding the Harmon waste transfer station.
“The security fencing is necessary to prevent physical breach of critical data infrastructure, particularly in this day and age, when we have the buildup coming up, you know, Guam’s going to start becoming an information hub,” Aguilar said. “It is important to protect this and other data asset facilities.”
The 45-foot water tower is 15 feet higher than the allowable 30 feet. Aguilar said the variance is needed to address fire suppression requirements.
“We cannot turn the facility on without satisfying fire suppression, and the design is based on current water pressure measured against fire suppression requirements dictated by code,” he said.
The lots are in an M-1 light industrial zone, and a data center is a permitted use. Because the property is in both Dededo and Tamuning, the height variances were approved by planning councils in both villages.
