Columbia County hears hours of public opposition to data‑center rezonings; commission adds conditions and rejects one application

Columbia County commissioners spent the bulk of their Feb. 3, 2026 meeting on competing views of new data‑center rezonings, adding conditions intended to limit noise and preserve buffers while facing sustained public concern about water use, diesel generators and a lack of transparency.

Supporters of stricter rules and several dozen residents urged commissioners to pause rezonings or impose moratoria so officials could quantify impacts on water, air quality and roads. "You hid behind NDAs," resident Vin Mueller told the board, accusing county leaders of insufficient disclosure and of fast‑tracking rezonings without full public review. Opponents asked the board to slow approvals, require independent studies and demand stronger enforceable conditions before land is rezoned to the new DC (data‑center) district.

The applicant’s representative pushed back on claims of secrecy and offered figures intended to ease concerns. Aaron Bilyeu, chief development officer for Cloverleaf Infrastructure, said "there is, absolutely no NDAs" between his firm and the county and estimated Phase 1 domestic water use at roughly…