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Paulding County residents press commissioners for moratorium, citing environmental and transparency concerns
Summary
Dozens of residents used the county's public-comment period to urge commissioners to pause approvals of data centers, raising worries about noise, bright lights, water use and a lack of transparency and urging a temporary moratorium until independent studies are published.
Dozens of Paulding County residents used the meeting's public-comment period to press the Board of Commissioners to halt further data-center approvals until independent assessments on environmental, infrastructure and public-safety impacts are completed and released publicly.
Several speakers said the county's process — including the use of a text amendment rather than individual rezoning hearings — denied neighbors notice and engagement. "There are only two reasons that I can think of," resident Stephen Cochran told the board, "cowardice and money," and he urged commissioners to "stand up" and explain the process. Jeffrey Baird, who identified himself as a resident, warned elected officials about political consequences and said many Georgians oppose large AI-scale data centers.
Other commenters focused on environmental and quality-of-life effects. Christine Maeda asked commissioners to imagine a data center in their backyard and described concerns about constant noise and bright lights that could affect wildlife and residents' sleep. "If the wildlife goes away, if the bees do not pollinate, you don't have flowers in your yard anymore," she said. Cindy Oldham cited actions by other jurisdictions that have rejected or temporarily moratoriumed data centers and urged Paulding County to consider similar measures, including extended public notice and environmental reviews.
Several speakers asked the board to adopt a temporary moratorium as a matter of ‘‘stewardship.’' "A moratorium is not opposition to economic development," said Kimberly Savage. "It is a commitment to inform decision making." Other residents pressed for stronger buffers, clearer public notice and independent review of water, sound and traffic impacts.
Board members did not record any final votes on data-center policy during the meeting; the public comment period concluded with the chair saying residents would be given answers and the board moved on to adjournment business. The transcript does not show a formal decision on moratoriums or regulatory changes. The meeting transcript also does not state the meeting date.
What happens next: Commissioners heard the comments and staff announcements; the board did not adopt a moratorium or take a recorded vote on data-center policy in the portion of the meeting captured by the transcript. Residents said they plan to continue providing material and to press for action at future meetings.
