Zoning Meeting July 2 Next Flashpoint For Project Tango
Project Tango, a proposed AI hyperscale data center and warehouse development in Palm Beach County, Florida, is facing renewed opposition ahead of a July 2 Zoning Commission meeting. Residents and the Palm Beach County School Board oppose the project due to its proximity to a local school. Adding to the complexities, developer PBA Holdings is facing a lawsuit from partner WPB Logistics Owner LLC seeking an emergency injunction against the master plan application.
After a seven-month pause, the proposed AI hyperscale data center and warehouse development, known as Project Tango, is back on the agenda for a Palm Beach County Zoning Commission meeting on July 2. The 202-acre project, formally the Central Park Commerce Center, faces strong opposition from nearby Arden community residents, their HOA, and the Palm Beach County School Board, which joined the Classroom Teachers Association in urging commissioners to delay a vote and provide impact studies. Concerns include the data center's proximity to Saddle View Elementary School and the precedent it could set for future developments.
Ernie Cox, a spokesman for Project Tango's developer PBA Holdings, addressed resident concerns, stating that claims of the facility needing 5 million gallons of water daily are outdated. He clarified that the project will utilize a "closed loop" cooling system, requiring only approximately 5,000 gallons per day for normal bathroom and breakroom uses. Cox also detailed major site plan changes, including scaling back the AI data portion, moving buildings farther from the school, and incorporating buffers to mitigate sound.
Complicating the project's path, WPB Logistics Owner LLC, which controls 60 acres of the site and is a subsidiary of Atlanta-based TPA Group, filed a lawsuit against PBA Holdings on June 5. The suit seeks an emergency injunction to compel PBA Holdings to withdraw its Project Tango master plan application before the critical July votes by the county's advisory board and commission. The court has yet to rule on the injunction request.
Despite the legal challenge and ongoing opposition, PBA Holdings plans to proceed, with Cox anticipating approval based on existing county code and the new information to be presented at the July 2 meeting. Opponents, including Arden HOA President Raymond Penuela, remain steadfast in their objection, citing broader concerns about locating such facilities near residential areas and schools.