City-initiated rezoning would allow 1.9M sq ft data center near Stonewall Veil Road; residents raise noise, water and power concerns

The City of South Fulton presented a city‑initiated rezoning April 7 to change several parcels near South Fulton Parkway and Stonewall Veil Road from AG1 to M1 (light industrial) and to allow a special use permit for a 1.9 million-square-foot data center; residents at the community meeting expressed concerns about noise, water use, lighting and power.

Reginald McClendon, managing director of community development and regulatory affairs, explained the request was sponsored by Councilmember Helen Willis and would also change the city’s future development map designation from Suburban I to Industrial Zone character area. McClendon said the city will host at least one public participation meeting and mail notices to neighbors.

Woody Galloway, attorney for RSC Investment Management, told the meeting RSC had assembled approximately 60 acres and said utilities are available: a major electrical transmission line bisects the property and multiple fiber cables run through the site. “One thing about data centers is they do need a lot of power, and this site has access to power,” Galloway said, adding that Georgia Power has allocated power for the site.

Galloway and residents discussed differences between conventional data centers and high‑power “mining” operations; Galloway said the proposed facility would be a large, permanent development with steel and concrete buildings and not a high‑noise mining operation.

Residents expressed multiple concerns. Eleanor Ross said nearby communities are “on high alert” about data centers’ potential impacts and asked developers to “differentiate yourself” from other projects with respect to noise, water and electricity. Galloway pointed to a city ordinance that sets noise limits at the property line — 65 decibels daytime and 55 decibels at night — and said developers can be required to adhere to closed‑loop cooling systems to avoid high water consumption.

Developers said third‑party studies show data centers generate substantial tax revenue after abatements — Galloway cited a prior Union City site that, after abatement, was projected to provide about $11.2 million annually to the hosting city during its first 10 years — and that data centers typically generate few daily vehicle trips beyond staff shifts and occasional equipment deliveries.

City staff and developers said they will schedule city-led and developer-led public participation meetings. Staff reiterated the process: mailed notices to property owners within the required radius, at least two public meetings and formal hearings to follow. No zoning decision or vote was taken at the April 7 meeting; the item is a city-initiated amendment advancing through the outreach phase.