Microsoft Data Center Topic Leads Public Comments in Tyrone
Residents in Tyrone, Georgia, expressed strong opposition to an incoming Microsoft data center at a recent Town Council meeting, citing concerns about environmental impacts, utility usage, noise, and traffic. The project was formally approved two years ago, and residents are now requesting independent studies and a moratorium on future data center developments.
The Tyrone Town Council held a meeting on May 21 where more than 12 citizens voiced their opposition to a Microsoft data center project, which was formally approved two years prior. The facility is planned for a 161-acre site near Highway 74 and Kirkley Road, with 147 acres within Tyrone town limits and the remainder in Fulton County.
Mayor Eric Dial addressed the public comments by reading a statement detailing the 2024 approval process. He explained that the site's zoning as a business technology park aligned with long-term land use plans designed to avoid commercial developments like fast-food restaurants or large residential areas. Dial also noted that Councilwoman Maureen Wheeler was not an elected official when the project was approved.
Residents raised numerous concerns, including power consumption, water usage, potential eminent domain, noise, vibration, pollution, drainage, and traffic. Molly Larson, a resident, expressed regret that the council didn't conduct more research or learn from previous projects like QTS. Another resident, Hannah Schilsky, reported that Microsoft officials at an open house confirmed the project would require additional infrastructure like substations and transmission lines, prompting her to recommend a moratorium on data centers. Microsoft maintains its commitment to transparency, job creation, increased tax base, and minimizing environmental impacts.