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St. Louis board hears appeal of conditional permit for proposed 120‑MW data center at Armory/Goodwill site
Summary
The St. Louis Board of Adjustment spent more than five hours hearing appeals and public testimony challenging a conditional use permit for a proposed hyperscale data center at the Armory/Goodwill parcels. Appellants cited health, noise, water and process concerns; developers said conditions and community benefits will mitigate impacts.
The St. Louis Board of Adjustment heard arguments July 29 on appeals of Conditional Use Permit 133001, which authorizes a proposed data‑center development across parcels around 3728–46 and 3854–58 Market Street. Chair Anthony Robinson opened the virtual hearing and outlined the order: city presentation, appellant testimony, applicant responses, public comment and then deliberation.
City zoning staffer Andy Powers read the Board of Public Service’s conditions, which include annual noise and emissions reporting, architectural screening, limits on visible signage, a minimum of 30% permeable/landscaped lot area and requirements for cooling systems and generator testing windows. Powers said the city will enforce the conditions and that evidence of certain contracts and certifications must be supplied before occupancy. "Permission is here granted to David Lambiaso to occupy 3728 Through 46 Market Street ... subject to the attached conditions," Powers read into the record.
Elise Schafer of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment urged the board to revoke the permit, calling the application incomplete and arguing it failed the five zoning criteria. "This data center will emit low frequency noise 24/7, causing adverse health effects on humans, animals, and plants alike," she testified, and asked the board to remand or rescind the permit until the applicant submits independent noise, water and economic studies. Schafer and dozens of residents and health experts raised concerns about diesel backup generators, PFAS in fire‑suppression or cooling systems, urban‑heat‑island effects and possible bill increases borne by ratepayers.
Responding, counsel for the respondent said the Board of Public Service had competent evidence when it approved the permit and that the permit conditions are enforceable. The applicant’s team described planned site work, economic projections and asserted that community benefits and development of the underused historic warehouse would follow if the permit stands. No final vote was taken; the board said it will deliberate and notify parties by mail in about two weeks.
