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Resident urges transparency on proposed data center rezoning, warns of infrastructure impacts
Summary
A local resident raised alarm during public comment about a proposed rezoning and possible large data center, citing potential power, water and property-value impacts and asking the county not to sign NDAs with developers.
Greg Burns, a resident of West Macintosh Road, used the citizen-comment period to urge Spalding County commissioners to be transparent about a planned rezoning that he said could allow a large data center.
"It was with great disappointment that I read an article last week about plans for a 2,500,000 square foot data center," Burns said during the meeting. "As I talked to people, it's news to everyone. Nobody knows about this." He said a planning commission agenda item to rezone AR-1 on High Falls Road to C-1 appears to be connected to the proposal.
Why it matters: If a large data center project moves forward, residents and county officials may face decisions about electrical infrastructure upgrades, water use, noise, property impacts and potential use of eminent domain for transmission lines or substations; Burns asked the board not to sign nondisclosure agreements that would remove the opportunity for public review.
Claims raised in public comment
- Burns said a proposed data center would consume more power and water than the entire county combined, produce substantial noise, and depress nearby property values. He also asserted that large data companies sometimes form shell companies and ask local governments to sign NDAs to avoid public disclosure until it is difficult to respond. - Burns asked the board to be upfront with the public and to disclose whether any nondisclosure agreements have been signed.
Board response and limits
- The comment period is an opportunity for residents to raise concerns; the board did not take formal action on the claims during the meeting. - There was no staff presentation or formal agenda item in this meeting that authorized rezoning or confirmed a data center project; Burns referenced an item on the planning commission agenda that he said may be related.
Speakers
- Greg Burns, citizen, 5451 West Macintosh Road (public comment)
Ending: Burns concluded by asking the board to "put a stop to it now" and to disclose any NDAs; the board did not take action during the meeting on the subject and constrained formal responses to the regular agenda.
