Social Circle council approves rezoning for 708 Highway 11 technology park despite residents’ water worries

Social Circle’s mayor and council voted to rezone 708 Highway 11 from agricultural to light industrial, clearing the way for a proposed technology park and data center campus that developers say would include nine buildings totaling roughly 2.5 million square feet.

Planning staff described the site as about 331 acres along I‑20 and recommended approval. ‘‘The proposed site plan shows an undisturbed buffer surrounding the development to screen it from surrounding properties,’’ planning staff said during the council presentation, and noted access would be gated and limited to business traffic. The application packet included a traffic impact study that recommended a traffic signal on Georgia Highway 11, and staff said water and sewer service would be provided by the Newton County Water and Sewer Authority.

Julie Sers, representing the applicant, said the developer has experience building large data centers and has a commitment from Georgia Power for electric service. ‘‘We are here asking for approval of a rezoning to allow for the data center to be developed as a technology park campus,’’ Sers said, adding the applicant would construct a new gated roadway and emphasized visual buffers between the campus and nearby neighborhoods.

Several residents spoke against the rezoning during the public hearing, citing water and community impacts. ‘‘I do not think there’s been nearly enough emphasis on the amount of water that’s going to be taken given the amount of data centers coming into Atlanta,’’ John Miller, a nearby resident, said, estimating dozens of planned facilities and warning the cumulative demand could stress regional supplies.

The applicant responded that its water plan does not rely solely on potable drinking water. Brad Kber, part of the applicant team, told the council they are ‘‘in conversations with Newton County Water and Sewage Authority’’ and are looking to use a gray‑water system from the Stanton Springs area, while noting cooling systems vary: ‘‘You can have anywhere from, you know, zero water usage, air‑cooled systems to fully evaporative cooling, which would use the higher end on that water load.’’ He added that 2.6 million gallons per day would represent a peak, extreme‑case estimate tied to full evaporative cooling on the hottest days, not continuous daily use.

Planning staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval. After applicant presentation, public comments and rebuttal, Council member Tyson moved to approve the rezoning per staff recommendations; Council member Steve Shelton seconded and the motion passed on an oral vote.

Council also noted the proposed development could prompt additional fire‑service planning — staff said the project’s location might require a future fire station or an amendment to automatic‑aid agreements to maintain adequate response times. Separately, the council tabled a related special‑use item tied to the same address until a Planning and Zoning meeting on May 27; the council will hear that recommendation at a special called meeting on May 28.

What happens next: with council approval of the rezoning, the applicant’s proposed site plan and engineering will move into plan review and permitting, and utility and public‑safety coordination with Newton County Water and Sewer Authority and local fire services remain open items identified by staff.