Byron city council considers proposed ordinance to regulate possible data center expansion
The Byron City Council is considering a proposed ordinance to regulate data center expansion in response to community concerns about noise and location. Residents expressed strong opposition to a potential data center in Byron and Crawford County, particularly regarding noise levels and the historical significance of a proposed site. The city has also filed a lawsuit related to the annexation of the land where the data center might be located.
A potential data center project in Byron and Crawford County, Georgia, has sparked significant controversy, leading to an hour and a half of public comment before the Byron City Council. Residents voiced strong concerns regarding the noise levels associated with data centers, with Jason Jones advocating for strict regulations on decibel levels.
Crawford County resident Katherine Schnabel also highlighted the problematic location of the proposed site, noting it is a 99-year-old Boy Scout camp with historical significance and potential endangered species, rather than previously developed industrial land. Mayor Michael Chitchester assured the community that the city council is taking public concerns seriously and has delved deeply into the matter. He noted that an ordinance to control data centers, addressing many of these concerns, is currently proposed, with a final vote not expected until early September.
Mayor Chitchester emphasized that no actual proposal for a data center is on the table yet, reminding residents that a data center may never materialize despite the ongoing discussions. Meanwhile, Byron and Crawford County are engaged in a dispute over the proposed site, with the city filing a lawsuit after an attempted state arbitration to settle land annexation issues expired. The next Byron City Council meeting is scheduled for August 24th.