Franklin County residents, groups sue to stop data center rezoning and projects
Two lawsuits have been filed challenging Franklin County’s approval of rezoning for two proposed data centers near Villa Ridge and south of Pacific. Opponents allege the county failed to adequately assess environmental and utility impacts, used illegal spot zoning, and did not follow required public-notice and hearing procedures.
The Pacific ROOT Coalition and Franklin County Rural Coalition, along with neighboring landowners and their attorneys, filed separate lawsuits challenging Franklin County’s approval of rezoning for two proposed data center projects. The Franklin County Commission approved the project near Villa Ridge by Shaw Nature Reserve unanimously and approved the project south of Pacific off Highway O in a 2-1 vote on September 15. Georgia-based Beltline Energy is developing the project near the Hubbard family farm.
Zach McMichael, an attorney for Pacific ROOT Coalition, said the lawsuits seek to overturn the zoning decisions and require the county to reconsider them through a lawful process. The plaintiffs argue that the county failed to study environmental, water and utility effects, improperly applied spot zoning, and limited residents’ ability to participate in public hearings. A Franklin County judge has issued a writ of certiorari, and the court will determine whether the county’s actions were lawful. County officials and the developers did not respond to requests for comment.