Resident urges county to adopt data‑center policy, prioritize ‘responsible growth’

During the public input period, a resident who identified himself as Coughlin urged the supervisors to pursue responsible growth and to protect farmland and residents’ quality of life as Norwalk and surrounding areas develop. He referenced recent and proposed development in Norwalk — including a referenced data‑center discussion — and said some residents near sports complexes and commercial developments had experienced light, traffic and noise impacts.

Coughlin asked whether the county’s comprehensive land use plan contains a specific policy addressing data centers and urged the board to consider starting or updating such a policy to balance economic benefit with protection of agricultural land and neighborhood character. “Please consider responsible growth,” Coughlin said, asking the board to weigh tax revenue gains against long‑term quality‑of‑life impacts for local residents.