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Residents urge Batavia council to oppose proposed 2.2 million sq. ft. data center, citing infrastructure and environmental risks
Summary
Several Batavia residents urged the City Council to formally oppose a proposed 2.2 million-square-foot data center in Genesee County, raising concerns about power demand, pollution, tax abatements, oversight and developer accountability and asking the council to communicate objections to the GCEDC.
Public comment at the Batavia City Council meeting on April 13 centered on a proposed 2.2 million-square-foot data center in Genesee County and residents’ requests that the council register opposition with the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC).
At least eight residents urged action or sharper oversight. Richard Beatty of 123 Summit St. asked the council to “slow down the data center process” and voiced concern about local infrastructure impacts. David Beatty of 113 Summit St. acknowledged the council’s limited jurisdiction but warned the project would increase demand on utilities and said data centers are “largely unregulated.”
Liz Thompson told the council the proposed facility would “demand a lot of power,” could affect the whole county and raise utility fees; she noted 11 states have pending litigation related to data centers and asked the council to write a letter opposing the project to the GCEDC. Christina Mortellaro said she was concerned about environmental impacts and called the tax abatements “ridiculous,” urging the council to formally recommend opposition to the County and GCEDC. Christine Zinni noted she grew up in Batavia and asked why a “multi‑national coming in” with no stake in the community should be welcomed; she said the community did not want a reputation tied to “Apollo and Jeffrey Epstein.” Dave Steele said many residents were unaware of the proposal and left a packet of materials for council review.
John Roach used his public-comment time to press unrelated municipal questions about the city’s collection agency and outstanding payments to Theatre 56.
Council responses were limited. Councilmember Sammy DiSalvo asked whether city staff had discussed how the project would affect Batavia and said he would like the issue scheduled for future consideration. Council President Jankowski said the item could be added to a future agenda and noted the community is divided on the matter.
Next steps: residents asked the council to communicate its position to the GCEDC and county decisionmakers; councilmembers agreed the matter could be placed on a future agenda for further discussion and possible formal action.
