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Residents urge delay, independent groundwater testing after Plan Commission fill‑permit decision
Summary
At a Hobart Redevelopment Authority meeting, residents appealed the Plan Commission’s approval of a large fill permit tied to a proposed Amazon data center, asking for independent groundwater and stormwater studies, baseline well testing and stronger financial guarantees; the board deferred determinations to the Board of Works meeting on the 18th.
At a meeting of the Hobart City Redevelopment Authority, dozens of residents and stakeholders urged the board to delay final action on a fill permit tied to a proposed large data‑center development and to require independent groundwater and stormwater studies before irreversible grading occurs. After extensive public comment, the board said it will make written determinations at the next Board of Works meeting on the 18th.
The appeals centered on a mass‑grading/fill permit that commenters said would enable a multi‑building data‑center campus and could require large‑scale dewatering. Barbara Telles, introduced by the chair as a petitioner, told the board: "This fill permit is just one step in the final building... 25 buildings. That's a lot." She warned of falling property values, increased construction traffic on two‑lane roads and potential health effects for neighbors living adjacent to the site.
Elizabeth Scagliardi, who identified herself as the owner of Excelsior Equestrian Center, said her farm sits about 1.5 miles from the proposed development and raised groundwater and livestock‑water concerns. "Specifically, the big question for my farm is how the data center is going to affect the aquifer that we rely on," she said, noting shallow wells near the project and the difficulty farms would face relying on city water.
Several speakers urged the city to require independent baseline testing and ongoing monitoring. Jennifer McWhite asked the city to "conduct independent baseline testing of the aquifer, including nitrates, nitrites, and screening for common agricultural and industrial contaminants" and to fund hydrogeological assessments and monitoring paid by the applicant so private well owners can detect changes and pursue remedies.
Eric Morris, speaking for nearby property owners, recommended multiple protective measures: an independent stormwater and groundwater study, a no‑net‑increase runoff standard, contractual guarantees for finished elevations and drainage, a stormwater performance bond or escrow, and baseline property and well condition monitoring with ongoing inspections. "Until these protections are in place, approving the grading exposes neighborhood properties to unreasonable and foreseeable risks," he said.
Several speakers also raised procedural and notice concerns. One commenter pointed to inconsistent public notices and conflicting references to municipal code chapters and argued that site‑plan review should precede a fill permit. The speaker called the application "piecemeal" and said required details on haul routes, hours of operation and dust mitigation were missing.
City staff told the board that the Plan Commission had held a special meeting and issued findings; staff recommended that commissioners who had questions consult legal counsel and suggested using executive session before final public determinations if needed. The chair said the board would consider and release written decisions to petitioners after the next Board of Works meeting on the 18th.
What happens next: The board deferred final determinations on the appeals to the Board of Works meeting on the 18th; petitioners should receive written findings after that meeting. Commenters asked the city to require independent baseline groundwater testing and a hydrogeological assessment before any grading or dewatering begins.
