LaGrange Council Denies Special-Use Permit for Data Center Project

The LaGrange City Council unanimously voted to deny a special-use permit (SUP) for a proposed data center at the Lafayette Logistics Center, developed by Farpoint. This decision followed a contentious public hearing where numerous residents voiced strong opposition, citing concerns about noise from backup generators, air pollution, and excessive water and power consumption. Residents from Troup County, including Trish Schramm and Gage Bailey of the Troup County Anti-Data Center Coalition, highlighted potential negative impacts on the community's rural character and health, particularly noting the project's proximity to homes on Old Hutchinson Mill Road and the emissions from diesel generators.

Ellen Smith, an attorney representing Farpoint, argued that the developers have a vested right to construct a data center on the industrially zoned 134-acre property, regardless of the SUP denial. She referenced a previous amendment to the city's Unified Development Ordinance that permitted data centers in the CPGI zoning district and stated that the SUP application was submitted to avoid future disputes. Smith also emphasized that the city could impose conditions with the SUP, an opportunity not available for previous data center approvals like Google's facility in Troup County.

While a few individuals spoke in favor of the SUP, citing potential economic and national security benefits, the council ultimately sided with the majority of residents. The planning commission had previously recommended approval of the SUP with conditions, including noise and air studies and a vegetative buffer, but these were insufficient to sway the council or alleviate residents' fears. This denial effectively blocks Farpoint's current plan to market the property for data center development without further legal action or changes to their proposal.