Mayor and council approve rezoning for Burkhalter data center by 3-2 vote
The Statesboro City Council approved a rezoning request from 4AM Development LLC for a 27-acre site on Burkhalter Road to build a two-story data center, despite significant public opposition regarding noise, water usage, and environmental impact. The vote was 3-2, with Mayor Jonathan McCollar casting the tie-breaking vote to approve the rezoning from high-density residential to office and business use.
The Statesboro City Council, with Mayor Jonathan McCollar casting the decisive tie-breaking vote, approved a request from 4AM Development LLC to rezone a nearly 27-acre property on Burkhalter Road. The rezoning from R-4 high-density residential to O for office and business paves the way for a proposed two-story, 230,000-square-foot data center.
District 5 Councilmember Shari Barr and District 4’s John Riggs initially moved to deny the rezoning, but their motion failed in a 2-2 tie. District 1 Councilmember Tangie Johnson and District 3 Councilmember Ginny Hendley supported the rezoning, citing positive experiences with data centers and adherence to staff recommendations. The subsequent motion to approve, introduced by Hendley and seconded by Johnson, was then approved with Mayor McCollar's tie-breaking 'yes' vote.
The decision followed a heated public hearing where approximately 100 residents protested outside City Hall, with more filling the council chamber to capacity. Concerns raised by citizens focused on potential noise, substantial water usage, environmental impact, and conflict with the area's 'Developing Neighborhood' character. Developers Bobby Bagwell and Charles C. Way, who typically work in residential development, stated they have no specific operator yet but are zoning speculatively to attract one.
While the rezoning is approved, the project still requires a 'special use' permit under the city’s Data Center Ordinance, enacted on June 2. This ordinance mandates a closed-loop cooling system, city water/wastewater connections, a water management plan, noise limits of around 50 decibels, an economic impact report, and a decommissioning plan. The developers have submitted a fiscal impact report projecting over $20 million in net tax benefits for the city, county, and schools over 10 years, and a water management plan projecting significantly lower water usage than a residential development. The site also involves wetlands undergoing review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and has applied to Georgia Power for a 99-megawatt power supply.