Project Tango setback: Palm Beach County zoning board recommends denial

The Palm Beach County Zoning Commission has unanimously recommended denying the controversial "Project Tango" proposal, a development that includes over 1 million square feet of AI data center space and warehouses. The decision, made after hours of emotional public comment, sided with residents from the nearby Arden community who expressed concerns about the project's impacts.

The proposed development aimed to amend the master plan for the Central Park Commerce Center, located west of the L-8 Canal along Southern Boulevard, close to Saddle View Elementary School. The revised plan called for approximately 3.6 million square feet of total development on more than 200 acres. County zoning staff had initially recommended approval for the project.

Opponents, many wearing "No Project Tango" shirts, voiced significant concerns regarding potential noise, water use, traffic, and overall environmental impacts, particularly given the project's proximity to residential neighborhoods. Residents, including Linda Heart and Larry Frazzier, questioned whether county leaders fully understood the implications of a hyperscale AI data center on the surrounding communities and urged commissioners to prioritize livelihood over financial gain.

A central point of contention for the commission was whether a modern AI data center truly qualifies as a light industrial use, as concluded by county planning staff. Chairman Christopher Kammerer noted a lack of sufficient information to make a definitive determination. Commissioner Susan Kennedy then moved to recommend denial, citing the application's failure to meet county approval standards, a motion that passed unanimously. The Zoning Commission's vote is advisory; the final decision rests with the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, with a public hearing scheduled for July 15.