Spartanburg County board blocks proposed data center
The Spartanburg County Board of Zoning Appeals upheld its denial of a proposed data center project on 151 acres along Jones Road, following significant community opposition and protests. This decision comes after the developer had invested over $28 million into the project before seeking final approval.
The Spartanburg County Board of Zoning Appeals recently voted to deny a data center proposal for Jones Road, upholding its original decision. The meeting concluded approximately 30 minutes before the live report, with the administrative offices appearing quiet despite a packed room of protesters during the proceedings.
The proposed data center project would have encompassed 151 acres along Jones Road, featuring plans for an approximately 200,000 square foot building. Developers indicated they had invested over $28 million into the project prior to receiving final approval. Community members actively protested against the development, expressing concerns about its impact.
Eric Allison, who leads the group "No Data Centers in Spartanburg," voiced his satisfaction with the board's decision, citing a lack of transparency and a feeling of the project being forced upon the community. It was clarified that this denied project is distinct from another data center development on South Pine Street, which covers about 300 acres and is currently the subject of a lawsuit filed by the Southern Environmental Law Center, though that development is already underway.