Resident engineer warns council about proposed Phillip Road colocation data center near housing

Vanessa O'Connor, a West Roseville resident and mechanical engineer, told the council she reviewed site plans for a proposed Phillip Road colocation data center at 6382 Phillip Road and asked for greater transparency about the facility’s proximity to residences. She said colocation facilities require large fans, cooling systems and backup generators that can be difficult to mitigate for noise and environmental impacts and recommended strict contract terms to protect health and limit noise.

O'Connor noted the city has two existing colocation centers (identified in the staff presentation) and that the proposed Phillip Road site could be only about 200 feet from residential property based on map estimates; she urged the council to publish clearer distance and impact information and to include enforceable noise and environmental protections in any future contracts. She also joined other commenters in urging that the city suspend its ALPR contract until the vendor can demonstrate reliability.

The council did not take immediate action on the data‑center concern; staff had said the project was described as colocation rather than hyperscale and that records show two existing colocation facilities in the city. O'Connor asked staff to continue transparency and to prepare protective contract language if the project proceeds.