Residents blast data center work compromise

The Port Washington Plan Commission recently agreed to a compromise regarding construction hours for the Vantage Data Centers Lighthouse Campus, much to the dismay of local residents. Despite pleas for an immediate halt to round-the-clock work, the commission, led by Mayor Ted Neitzke, approved a motion on March 19 to end 24-hour construction by April 18, limiting outdoor work to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Interior work will be permitted around the clock on weekdays and until late Saturday evenings once buildings are enclosed. This decision came after Vantage Data Centers initially requested 24-hour work until the end of May to meet a project completion deadline of late 2028. However, residents have lodged numerous complaints since construction began in late December, citing issues with traffic, noise, and dust. Mayor Neitzke described the approved schedule as a "nice compromise," acknowledging neighbor concerns while allowing Vantage and its contractors time to adjust schedules. The new rules also include restrictions on delivery hours and reduced lighting after 8:30 p.m., partly to mitigate impact on migratory birds. However, residents attending the meeting expressed profound dissatisfaction with the commission's action. Dean Wiegert, Kirk Deheck, Kim Tydrick, and Tracy Finch were among those who voiced strong objections, arguing that another month of 24-hour construction was unacceptable and negatively impacting their mental and physical health. Some accused the commission of prioritizing the developer's timeline over community well-being, with one woman exclaiming, "You should all go to jail" upon leaving the meeting. The residents felt their comments had little impact on a decision they believed was predetermined.