Villa Rica council approves rezoning, annexation for proposed data center with conditions

The Villa Rica City Council on May 13 approved annexation and rezoning requests tied to a proposed data center campus, imposing conditions that require a development agreement covering water and sewer capacity, removal of residential components, minimum buffers and design controls.

The vote clears the way for the developer to pursue engineering and permitting but leaves utility, traffic and site details to later approvals. Supporters said a data center would generate tax revenue and impose fewer demands on schools and public safety than large-scale residential development; opponents cited pending litigation, conservation easements and questions about water, traffic and notice.

Planning and zoning administrator Sean Daniels presented the application, saying the developer seeks to rezone two parcels — about 182.46 acres on South Van Wert Road and 32.06 acres on Hickory Level Road — to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) with the city’s Technology Park Overlay. He told the council the comprehensive plan designates the area “suburban village,” which allows mixed uses but said staff recommended approval with conditions, including that "water utilization, sewer capacity, and conveyance are to be agreed upon in a form of a development agreement." (Sean Daniels, Planning and Zoning Administrator).

City Engineer Mark Teal summarized review comments from the…