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Residents press council over proposed Ross Township data center — traffic, noise, groundwater and emergency response concerns
Summary
Multiple residents used public comment to oppose a large industrial data‑center proposal in Ross Township, citing traffic congestion, noise from diesel backup generators, groundwater and dewatering risks and problems with ambulance response; councilors said staff will follow up on EMS call records, noise and environmental protections.
A lengthy public‑comment period centered on a proposed industrial/data‑center project in Ross Township and the annexation and rezoning questions tied to it. Patricia Corey (speaker 8) and Jennifer McQuaid (speaker 10), among others, spoke alongside several residents who expressed concerns about traffic, water wells, emergency response times and environmental and noise impacts from large data‑center facilities.
Corey described two separate incidents where ambulance crews initially could not find an address and asked the mayor to follow up; Chair (speaker 2) said he would pull call records and coordinate with the fire department to determine response timelines. Corey also urged the council to honor a previously discussed community park and oppose placing a data center at the 61st/69th Avenue area: "I say absolutely no data center at 61st And 69th Avenue," she said.
McQuaid requested baseline groundwater and soil testing before major earthworks, questioned the number and tier of diesel backup generators she expects on the site and urged the council to revisit the city’s noise ordinance (she suggested 55 dB for new construction). Residents and councilors debated whether dewatering could concentrate preexisting agricultural chemicals; staff said the developer’s filings include soil and stormwater measures and that staff would review additional environmental protections. Council committed to continued meetings with stakeholders, further study of traffic and noise mitigation and follow‑up on groundwater testing requests.
The council did not take a final land‑use vote at this meeting; multiple residents asked for additional public meetings with the developer and utility representatives. Council members emphasized they are studying traffic plans, off‑site parking and contractor check‑in approaches to minimize road blockage during construction and pledged continued engagement with concerned residents.
