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Resident urges moratorium on hyperscale data centers, cites vibration and economic risks
Summary
Chad Osterman asked the council for a moratorium on hyperscale data centers, warning of low‑frequency vibrations he said could travel farther on De Soto’s shallow limestone bedrock and questioning the reliability of long‑term revenue projections tied to data‑center development.
Chad Osterman, a De Soto homeowner, told the council he plans to sell his house because of concerns about nearby data‑center development and urged a moratorium on hyperscale facilities. Osterman cited reports from other states about nausea and sleep disruption up to 2 miles from data centers and argued that De Soto’s shallow Farley limestone bedrock could carry vibrations farther than ordinary soil.
"When continuous vibration pumps into shallow limestone and that limestone carries vibration much farther than soil, it can actually act like a giant tuning fork, carrying that energy directly into our homes," Osterman said, and he asked the council to "impose that moratorium, please." He also questioned the city’s fiscal projections, noting presenters had described nearly $500 million in projected revenue over 25 years but arguing that buildout uncertainty and short equipment lifecycles could cut five‑year revenues to an estimated $49–$98 million.
Council members thanked Osterman for raising concerns; no moratorium or formal health‑study directive was adopted at the meeting, though other council members later discussed pausing incentives while impacts are studied.
