Proposed data center on Powers Ferry Place in Marietta faces backlash
The Marietta City Council is scheduled to vote on a rezoning application for a data center at 1155 Powers Ferry Place, following a narrow recommendation for approval from the Planning Commission. Local residents and community groups are actively opposing the project, citing concerns over environmental impact, energy and water usage, and the city's lack of specific regulations for data centers. Opponents are calling for a moratorium on data center construction until proper guidelines are established.
The Marietta City Council is preparing to vote on a rezoning request for a proposed data center at 1155 Powers Ferry Place, following a divided 4-3 favorable recommendation from the Marietta Planning Commission. The application, filed by Prime Storage, a subsidiary of Prime Group Holdings, seeks to convert a portion of a 90,000-square-foot facility into a data center, which would be near an existing data center at 1130 Powers Ferry Place.
Public opposition to the project has intensified, with residents expressing concerns about the lack of specific city guidelines for data centers, environmental impacts, noise levels, and energy and water consumption. Jean Allred of Marietta Blue Ladies United (BLU) highlighted a city staff analysis that was largely unsupportive of the location due to these issues and a misalignment with Marietta’s long-range comprehensive plan. She also noted the widespread efforts to mobilize residents to contact council members and advocate for a moratorium on data center development.
State House Rep. Gabriel Sanchez (D) confirmed mounting pressure from residents, observing that recent planning board votes for data centers are no longer unanimous. He questioned the necessity of additional data centers in Marietta, particularly in close proximity to existing ones, and suggested that some Georgia leaders prioritize economic gain over environmental concerns due to lobbying from entities like Georgia Power. Organizer Aujé Herndon of the Democratic Socialists of America emphasized the lack of transparency in the development process and criticized out-of-state developers like Robert Moser, owner of Prime Group Holdings, for having no local stake in the community. Marietta BLU plans to host a community town hall to further engage residents and collaborate with the Sierra Club to hold city leaders accountable ahead of this year's elections.