City of Lovejoy passes ordinance banning data center construction
The City of Lovejoy has approved an ordinance banning data center construction within its limits, following months of resident and city leader opposition to a proposed 3.5 million-square-foot data center campus by Stillwater Development. The company has since withdrawn its application and is now pursuing a residential project for the site.
The City of Lovejoy in Georgia has enacted an ordinance that prohibits data center construction within its municipal boundaries. This decision follows significant public opposition to a large-scale data center campus proposed by Stillwater Development, which was planned for a site near Michelle Obama STEM Elementary Academy and Eddie White Middle School.
Residents, including Ken Worrell and Kanesha Clemons, voiced strong concerns about increased traffic congestion on Panhandle Road, particularly impacting school operations, and potential effects on natural resources. The city itself had highlighted these issues in its Developments of Regional Impact submission. Following the ordinance's passage, Stillwater Development withdrew its application for the 15-building, 1.25 gigawatt project. Mayor Marci Fluellyn announced that the developers are now exploring a residential project for the site.