Residents press council over ERRA, data center zoning and potential impacts on wildlife refuge

Multiple residents used the public comment period to express concern about a proposed data center and the county’s Economic Reinvestment Area (ERRA) designation for a heavy industrial tract.

Freda Cheney (who gave her address) described living adjacent to Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge and said she feared displacement and environmental harm if a data center were approved: “I am disappointed that the data center is even being considered, let alone approved,” she said.

Steve Roner urged stronger community resistance and cited examples from other states where residents allege environmental impacts; he said, “you're selling our soul to like Elon Musk and uh you know Mark Zuckerberg,” underscoring local distrust of large hyperscale projects.

Council members and others replied that the ERRA designation signals the county is 'open for business' in that area but does not itself approve a specific building or bypass environmental or permit reviews. Speakers explained that plan commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals handle zoning determinations; the Board of Zoning Appeals had agreed the data center fits within an existing heavy industrial zoning definition. Council members noted building permit submittals will include wastewater, water and electrical plans and that professional engineering review and state/federal agencies (including EPA) would have roles in oversight.

What remains unresolved: public requests for additional environmental review and specific mitigation measures. Council members encouraged residents to continue raising concerns with county planning staff, the plan commission, and appropriate state and federal agencies. The council did not take any vote to approve or reject a data center at this meeting.