Residents press Hobart leaders over proposed data center’s traffic, noise and water risks

Dozens of residents used the public‑comment period at the March 18 council meeting to press elected officials for stronger protections as a proposed large data center and related industrial development move forward in Ross Township.

Patricia Corey, who gave her address to the council, said neighbors view the site as a "dumping zone" and asked the city for a written promise to replace private wells if dewatering or construction dries them up. Corey also described a separate incident in which emergency responders had trouble locating a home and asked council to follow up on response times: "I will follow‑up with our fire department and find out," the chair said in response.

Jennifer McQuaid, another resident, told council members the annexation and zoning changes feel like a sacrifice of Ross Township for the city's broader fiscal needs. She warned about air and noise pollution from diesel backup generators at scale and urged the council to adopt a city‑wide noise standard that is stricter for new construction: "If it's that loud, then what's the city gonna do to mitigate that to protect residents?" McQuaid asked.

Several residents argued that the development plan should require baseline environmental testing before heavy earthwork or dewatering, pointing to incidents in other jurisdictions where construction processes changed water chemistry. "We should know what's on that ground and in that water before we let them do anything to it," a resident said, asking for groundwater and soil testing prior to further permits.

Council members and staff responded that the city has received geotechnical and stormwater filings related to the project and that traffic and construction management plans are part of the review process. The council's lead stated: "Our team is working diligently on this traffic. We're looking at site parking spots, bussing them in, minimizing the traffic impact," and said contractors and traffic mitigation measures will be adjusted as construction proceeds.

Councilors also emphasized the fiscal tradeoffs that inform land‑use decisions. One council member said development helps the city increase revenue and staffing capacity for services such as ambulances and firefighters. Staff and members pledged continued outreach and additional technical conversations with residents, and agreed to pursue follow‑up on ambulance call records after a resident reported delays.

The meeting produced no binding new environmental requirement; instead, councilors said they would continue to review filings, discuss specific mitigation measures (noise buffers, lighting controls and traffic staging) and meet with residents and technical experts to provide more data. Several residents asked the city to consider a data‑center ordinance that would consolidate protections (noise, lighting, groundwater monitoring) similar to rules other cities have adopted; council members said they would review those options and continue discussions.

The council did not take a final vote on any data‑center permitting at the meeting. Officials said additional conversations, and technical follow‑up, are expected before any final approvals or permits are issued.