Residents urge stronger oversight of data centers, call out Point One project

Several residents urged the Board to tighten review of data centers and to slow new applications until the County completes updated siting and infrastructure policies. Pat Davis said data centers are "large-scale industrial facilities" that consume substantial electricity and water and can cause noise and light impacts; she argued that treating them as a by-right use removes meaningful public input. Dorene Billingsley recommended a temporary six- to nine-month moratorium on new applications (excluding projects already underway), defining data centers as a distinct land use, and requiring special use permits with overlay standards for buffers and parcel sizing.

Vice-Chairman Ryan Patterson noted the Board had agreed at a prior meeting to receive monthly updates on the Point One project and asked that such updates be a standing agenda item until the Board is satisfied with the information provided. The packet and public remarks show Point One is under site plan review with comments returned for a second review; residents and board members called for clearer materials in advance of meetings so the public can evaluate potential long-term impacts.