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Residents urge ban or moratorium on data centers at Marion hearing
Summary
Dozens of residents told the planning commission that data centers threaten water, noise, nature and property values and urged an immediate ban or moratorium; several suggested stronger bonds and enforcement if projects are allowed.
Dozens of residents spoke during a public comment period at the June 25 joint hearing, many urging the county to ban data centers or impose a moratorium while officials study impacts. Speakers described potential harms to farmland, wildlife and community character and argued that the county should not update rules to allow such facilities without stronger protections.
Ashley Privet, who gave her address and said she has been a citizen of Smith County for 43 years, said, "I personally want data centers banned from our county." Other speakers described potential health, noise and property-value harms; one audience member led a call-and-response of "hip hip no way" in opposition. Presenters reminded the room that the hearing was a listening session and that no permit applications were under review tonight.
