East Charlotte residents oppose new data center project

East Charlotte residents are mobilizing against American Tower Corporation's proposal to construct a 40,000-square-foot data center on Hood Road. The project, which requires a rezoning approval, has drawn significant community concern regarding its potential impact on utility bills, environmental health, and the nearby Reedy Creek Nature Preserve. Jeffrey Shen, a local resident and member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, highlighted worries about increased electricity and water costs for residents, who are already struggling financially. His group has initiated a petition that has amassed over 3,200 signatures and is organizing a community meeting to rally further opposition. Concerns also extend to the environmental risks, particularly the use of toxic chemicals in cooling systems and the proximity of the proposed site to the nature preserve, with fears of potential leaks. American Tower Corporation has countered these concerns by stating that the facility would be a small-scale operation, roughly 2% the size of a hyperscale data center, and designed for sustainability. The company claims it would use closed-loop cooling systems that do not draw from the local water supply and would replace multiple on-site server rooms with a more efficient, secure solution. The Charlotte City Council is set to hold a public hearing on the rezoning request on April 20. City Council member Dimple Ajmera expressed skepticism about locating such a facility in a residential area and has called for a temporary pause on all data center requests in residential zones, advocating for "smart growth" that respects existing communities and natural spaces.