Residents, neighboring Norton attendees raise noise, light and water concerns about proposed data center

At a Baberton City Council committee meeting on Oct. 6, residents and nearby Norton neighbors pressed council members for clearer information about a proposed data center on the border near the PPG minefields, citing concerns about noise, lighting, water use and property values.

A Norton resident, Glenn Yasco, told the council that neighbors feel they have limited influence over the proposal but can be heard at public meetings: “We as a group, we respect our local and neighboring community officials. We show our respect by remaining civil and courteous,” Yasco said, and urged people to attend a Norton town hall on Oct. 13 where representatives of Quantum HPC are expected to answer questions.

Barberton resident Tiffany Mead described visits to existing data centers and to the site under discussion and cited figures from developer materials: “The proposed data center going on the border of Barberton is 485,000 square feet,” Mead said. She told council members the developer had previously proposed a 112‑foot structure, later revised to 115 feet, and described a campus footprint she said was 753 feet long. Mead warned of potential “noise, the light, the water” effects and said the developer’s public materials had changed repeatedly on water sourcing and lighting.

Councilors and the mayor acknowledged the many unanswered questions. Mayor William Judge said he had arranged a meeting with Norton officials and that he received a developer FAQ posted to Norton’s website; he said he would continue to report back to council as more facts emerge. “A lot more information has to come out,” the mayor said.

The meeting record shows no ordinance or permit action by Baberton on the proposal during the Oct. 6 session. Multiple speakers urged that residents be given information and opportunities to comment; an off‑site Norton town hall on Oct. 13 was announced as a forum where developer representatives are scheduled to appear.

Discussion vs. decision: The committee meeting recorded public comment and council and mayoral acknowledgements; no formal city action or vote on the proposal occurred at the session. The mayor said he will meet with Norton officials and with the developer and report back to council.

Context and next steps: Norton has scheduled a public town hall for Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Norton Community Center where Quantum HPC representatives are expected to attend. Council members and the mayor requested additional written materials from the developer and urged residents to submit questions in advance for any developer presentations.