Whitfield County commissioners approve rezoning for proposed Riverbend data center after hours of public comment

Whitfield County commissioners on March 10 approved a rezoning request to convert agricultural land off South Riverbend Road to industrial use to allow construction of a large data center.

The vote followed a lengthy public comment period in which residents who live along Riverbend and Old Tilton roads raised concerns about noise, resource use, and effects on livestock, and asked the board to deny the rezoning.

County staff provided an independent acoustic study during the meeting that county officials said showed decibel readings at the project property line would be at or below 55 decibels. Staff also said the applicant agreed to a 30-foot vegetative buffer around the site. County officials made those materials available to the public and said they could be used to set conditions on construction and operation.

Residents described potential and observed impacts from large computing and industrial operations. “They’re very loud. They’re very resource intensive. It takes a lot of power. It takes a lot of water,” said Ricky Robinson, who identified himself as an IT professional and a Riverbend Road resident. Michelle Schuler, another Riverbend resident, warned about hazardous materials used in cooling systems and about disposal of obsolete electronic equipment.

Cameron Whaley, who identified himself as a fourth-generation Riverbend landowner, told commissioners the project could affect cattle breeding stock and said, “these data centers are not good for livestock. It causes infertility, irregular calving patterns.” Sasha Coral said a humming noise from cooling systems would aggravate a child in her household who is on the autism spectrum: “the humming from them … will drive him up the wall.”

Commissioner Thomas, who said he had reviewed the record and heard from residents, moved at one point to deny the rezoning, calling the change “a big change going from rural residential general ag to M-2.” That motion failed for lack of a second. Later, a motion to approve the rezoning was made and seconded and the board voted to approve the request.

The board’s action followed Planning and Zoning review and the submission of technical materials by the applicant. Commissioners and staff discussed using the acoustic study and the agreed 30-foot vegetative buffer as enforceable conditions; the county retains permitting and enforcement authority and residents were told those materials would be available for follow-up enforcement if complaints arise.

The meeting record shows strong opposition from multiple Riverbend residents who said the rezoning would change the character of the area and could reduce property values. Commissioners acknowledged the concerns during debate but also noted the county’s limited regulatory authority over certain technical issues, and the county’s reliance on state agencies for environmental regulation.

The county clerk’s minutes list the motion to approve the rezoning, the names of commissioners who moved and seconded the motion, and record that the board approved the request (see Actions). The applicant’s final site plans, the acoustic report and the buffer plan were placed in the public record by county staff after the meeting.