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Residents urge Board to reconsider by-right data center zoning, cite wetlands and quality-of-life risks
Summary
Public commenters asked the Board to remove by-right status for data centers and adopt a "right project, right place" approach, citing impacts on water, wetlands, stormwater, and community quality of life; speakers urged returning to case-by-case review and stronger local oversight.
Several residents urged the Board to revisit the county’s by‑right zoning for data centers, warning that automatic approval removes public input and case‑by‑case scrutiny for major developments. Pat Davis said by‑right designation “removes public input, case‑by‑case review, and local oversight” and called on the Board to restore opportunities for community involvement in large projects.
Tracy Floyd warned of environmental and liability risks from data center development in wetland areas and advised a “right project, right place” approach. Floyd emphasized wetlands’ functions for stormwater management, flood control and water‑quality protection and said the county risks long‑term environmental harm and potential liability if old industrial‑era zoning is not reexamined in light of current science.
