Residents urge pause, stricter rules for proposed Villa Rica hyperscale data center

Several residents urged the Villa Rica City Council to adopt rules and delay approvals for a hyperscale data center they said could harm nearby homes, schools and farmland.

Kelly Fillingham, who told council she circulated a proposed data-center ordinance last month, said the Technology Park overlay and prior rezoning put the city at risk. "A company is going to be investing 4 to $6,000,000,000 billion dollars in buildings," Fillingham said, adding that without an ordinance "there is nothing on the books limiting noise, lighting, site standards, nothing requiring monitoring, reporting, or a cleanup fund if our land or water is polluted." She asked the council to impose a 180-day moratorium on new data-center site applications so Villa Rica can adopt protections before a developer files plans.

Public commenters echoed concerns about noise, constant operations and strain on utilities. Aubrey Kimmons said a data center "runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year" and asked, "Do we really know what we're agreeing to?" Jackie Cowen, a longtime resident following the Avmore development, urged setbacks and strict decommissioning rules, warning of diesel backup-generator noise, battery storage risks and possible future transmission-line easements.

Council did not immediately adopt an ordinance or moratorium on Aug. 11; the comments were received during public comment and will inform future work sessions and ordinance drafting.