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Residents form 'Hobart Residents First,' press council on data center transparency and health studies
Summary
Multiple residents criticized the city's handling of a proposed data center, citing roughly $200K in legal bills, lack of an independent health-impact study and limited dialogue; a new coalition, Hobart Residents First, urged a moratorium and advisory committee.
Several Hobart residents used the July 1 Common Council meeting to press elected officials for greater transparency and protections related to a proposed data center project, and announced a new coalition to document impacts and push for stronger public review.
Jennifer McQuade, 6731 Grand Blvd., told the council she compiled residents' questions and concerns and said the city has spent "over $200K on legal fees related to the data center project," adding that residents had requested an independent health-impact study early in the process that was not done; she said such a study would have cost about $150,000 and suggested the city could have asked the developer to fund it. McQuade asked the council to publish the Community Impact Fund application process, award records and justifications to increase public trust.
Angelita Soriano, 1731 Imperial St., said a new resident coalition, Hobart Residents First, will push for "fair, informed, responsible, safe and transparent development." Soriano said the group supports responsible economic growth but objected to treating the data center solely as light industrial; the coalition will collect a resident impact log to document noise, traffic, flooding and other quality-of-life concerns and is calling for a data-center advisory committee and a moratorium on further approvals until a comprehensive ordinance is crafted.
Alice Pawlowski and Patrica Corey said they remain concerned about health and safety implications. Pawlowski asked whether Fire Department representatives would meet with Hobart Residents First to discuss protections; Fire Chief Enrique Lopez agreed to attend or send a representative and councilmembers suggested providing the chief with a list of questions in advance. Residents also raised FOIA/APRA response delays; City Attorney McCarthy reported the city has engaged outside counsel to handle the increased request volume.
Mayor Huddlestun responded to questions about the Community Impact Fund, which was created under an economic-impact agreement with data center developers. He said the fund has been used for items such as eliminating garbage bills and the façade and energy rebate programs, and that some project categories will be reviewed by the appropriate Board or Commission, while nonprofit programs may consult the mayor's office. He said funding decisions "will be made in public meetings" and that the Board of Works approved a donation agreement for the school turf project.
Why it matters: Residents asked for baseline studies and formal mechanisms to document and respond to neighborhood impacts before more data centers or similar projects are approved. The council heard calls for transparent processes for Community Impact Fund awards and clearer opportunities for resident engagement.
What's next: Residents said Hobart Residents First will continue meeting and documenting impacts. Fire Department staff agreed to meet with residents at their next meeting if provided a question list in advance; no new council moratorium or ordinance was enacted at this meeting.
