Residents urge council to block data‑center reuse of Crystal Geyser site, offer local alternatives

Dozens of Mount Shasta residents used public comment to press the City Council to stop a potential redevelopment of the Crystal Geyser bottling plant into data‑center facilities, arguing the project would threaten tourism, water quality and community character.

Opponents described multiple concerns. Neil Pawson said Mount Shasta “depends on two things for our economy: tourism and the quality of life,” and warned that data centers would bring “noise” and “air pollution” from large engines running 24 hours a day. Several speakers raised low‑frequency noise and sleep‑disruption risks; Kim Mattson, who said she lives roughly 2,000 feet from the proposed site, cited research she summarized as finding large cooling fans can produce low‑frequency sound around 100 hertz that “can penetrate walls” and create standing waves that disrupt sleep.

Water use and contamination were recurring themes. Patricia Carreras, who said she lives within a half‑mile of the facility, told the council she is a volunteer wildfire leader and said any reuse must not increase wildfire or water‑supply risk. Philip Falkell warned that changes to headwaters “can move all the way down” the watershed and affect downstream communities.

Speakers offered alternative proposals for reusing the Crystal Geyser building. Glenn Kaufman presented a printed 18‑page plan called Mount Shasta Organics to convert the site to an aquaponics and hydroponics operation; he estimated about 30 full‑time jobs, roughly $2 million per year in wages initially and projected $8.5 million in annual revenue within five years, with a startup acquisition and development cost he cited near $13 million and a claimed 98% water recirculation rate and daily water use of under 10,000 gallons.

Other residents urged annexation of the property to give the city more control over future uses, and community groups suggested possibilities including trade‑school space, tiny homes in repurposed rail cars and arts or festival venues. Several commenters also raised transparency concerns about regional economic‑development organizations and asked for clearer public disclosure of negotiations.

Council members and staff acknowledged the volume of public input and said options such as annexation would require county cooperation and property‑owner agreement. The mayor urged continued public engagement and noted the council will consider community‑favored alternatives while also recognizing legal and jurisdictional limits.

The town hall series for a separate master plan for “The Landing” — a city‑led 120‑acre project — was announced to encourage further public input on development priorities. The council did not take a formal vote on the Crystal Geyser property during the meeting.