Saint Louis Board of Adjustment Upholds Data Center Permit Despite Noise Concerns
The Saint Louis Board of Adjustment voted to uphold a permit for a data center at the Armory despite public testimony and expert concerns about low-frequency noise. Opponents now have the option to appeal the decision to the Missouri Circuit Court. Dr. Casey Fowler Finn, a sound expert, highlights the difficulty of dampening the unique low-frequency noise produced by data centers.
The City of Saint Louis Board of Adjustment recently voted to uphold a permit for a $3 billion data center project at the Armory, following eight hours of public testimony and three hours of deliberation. This decision allows the project to move forward, citing the creation of both construction and permanent jobs, as well as tax revenue. However, Saint Louisans who wish to challenge the ruling now face the option of appealing to the Missouri Circuit Court.
Dr. Casey Fowler Finn, a Saint Louis University researcher and sound expert with 25 years of experience, expressed frustration that city leaders may be ignoring scientific evidence regarding the unique sound profile of data centers. She explained that data centers produce a distinct low-frequency noise that is uncommon in urban environments. Dr. Fowler Finn believes there is a significant lack of understanding about the severity of this issue.
Unlike high-frequency sounds, low-frequency noise cannot be easily dampened and travels much further than typical industrial noise, potentially up to 3000 feet or more. Traditional noise mitigation methods, such as enclosures and tree planting, are ineffective against low frequencies, which can bend around and penetrate solid objects. While the data center project's website claims acoustically treated structures, Dr. Fowler Finn questions their efficacy for absorbing a 20 Hz sine wave, requiring impractical amounts of absorptive material. She noted that water cooling could reduce the frequency by 50% but presents a trade-off with increased mechanical sound.