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Residents urge Lee County to pause data-center approvals amid concerns about power, water, noise and secrecy
Summary
Dozens of residents used the public-comment period to call for a moratorium or stronger protections on a proposed hyperscale data center campus, citing nondisclosure agreements, potential grid and water strain, low-frequency noise (infrasound), and limited local job creation.
During the meeting's public-comment period, a series of residents urged the Board of Commissioners to halt or re-examine a proposed large data-center campus near Lower Montague/Lower Moncure Road and to adopt stronger local rules. "We were promised a quiet business park. Instead... a 430-acre industrial data center campus," said Eric Evanson, who urged the developer to withdraw the site plan so the community can be heard.
Speakers repeatedly cited nondisclosure agreements and late disclosures as reasons to distrust the process and asked the board to adopt a moratorium to allow independent study of impacts. "This project raises serious questions that deserve real answers: how much electricity will it consume, how much water could it require, and who pays for the infrastructure improvements?" Michelle Eaves asked.
Multiple speakers raised noise and health concerns tied to low-frequency sound and continuous generator operation. "These infra waves cause headaches, nausea, dizziness... Would you willingly do this to your own citizens?" resident Gary Phelps asked, referencing concerns about infrasound and critiquing the adequacy of standard decibel-based ordinances. Veterinarian Julie Davis cited peer-reviewed studies linking persistent mid-level noise to sleep disruption and effects on wildlife and livestock and warned diesel generator noise can exceed ordinance limits when active.
Residents also questioned the economic tradeoffs: speakers argued the campus would consume large amounts of county resources while producing few permanent local jobs. Jeff Kidd, who said the project would "wrap around my property," warned of lasting land-use changes and legal risks, noting ongoing lawsuits and complaints involving similar developers in other states.
Speakers closed by urging the board to protect water resources, preserve rural character, insist on transparency and accountability, and adopt or consider a moratorium. The board took no immediate action on a moratorium at the meeting but acknowledged public concern and encouraged continued engagement by email and future meetings.
