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Residents urge Franklin County commission to reject rezoning for hyperscale data centers
Summary
During public comment, multiple Franklin County residents urged commissioners to oppose rezoning for hyperscale data centers, citing concerns about water use, contamination from an abandoned landfill, noise, transparency and limited local jobs.
At a Franklin County Commission meeting residents used the public‑comment period to press commissioners to reject rezoning that would allow hyperscale data centers.
Speakers across the public‑comment period said the projects threaten local water, air and soil and offer few local jobs. “We are anti big tech land grabs,” said Anne Hayden, who also questioned nondisclosure agreements and the secrecy she said surrounds proposals. Jim Roberts told the commission that contamination from an abandoned landfill is already affecting land and water and asked, “If that grant is denied, what is Franklin County’s plan?”
Other residents cited broader technical and health concerns. Twila Ashworth cited reports saying large data centers use substantial water and energy, and warned that rapid expansion could strain freshwater supplies. Nancy Watson left commissioners a copy of a St. Louis Public Radio article and asked whether the commission has reviewed contracts, held closed‑door briefings with developers (listed in the transcript as BLH Land Holdings/BeltLine and Provident), or inspected nearby properties. “Will you use your authority to listen to your people now and vote no on all four hearings?” she asked.
Speakers also raised procedural and transparency questions. Dana Bowers accused the board of limiting public comment and asked whether the administrative record on the applications remains open for written evidence. Several commenters, including Darlene Hogue and April Reisenhoover, argued that selling or rezoning farmland risks destroying neighborhood character and property values.
The comments included both technical claims and appeals to community values. Jim Roberts requested a contingency cleanup plan should the county’s EPA Brownfields grant application be denied; the county did not provide an answer during the meeting. Several speakers urged the commission to require more developer documentation and to avoid allowing NDAs to block public review.
No formal vote on rezoning or land‑use rules was recorded during the meeting; the public‑comment period concluded and the commission moved on to other business and then adjourned.
Provenance: Topic first introduced in public comment beginning SEG 116 and last discussed during public comment concluding SEG 817.
