Marietta City Council faces opposition over data center plans
Marietta residents are actively opposing potential data center construction near Bells Ferry Road and Interstate 75, disrupting a recent city council meeting to voice their concerns. Although no current construction plans were on the agenda, the City Council had previously approved rezoning the 31-acre site from commercial/retail to light industrial last year. Opponents argue the rezoning was not adequately advertised, while Marietta Power assures that a data center at this location would not strain the electrical grid or impact customers.
Marietta City Council faced vocal opposition from residents regarding potential data center development during a recent meeting, despite the issue not being on the official agenda. Protestors chanted outside City Hall, and the council chambers were full of citizens demanding to be heard.
The proposed data center site is a 31-acre parcel near Bells Ferry Road and Interstate 75. While no construction plans are currently underway, the City of Marietta confirmed that the council had approved a request last year to rezone the land from commercial/retail to light industrial. This rezoning process included public notice, public comment, and a two-and-a-half-hour town hall meeting.
Residents like JoAnne Cheek, who has lived in the area for 30 years, expressed dissatisfaction, stating the rezoning was "not advertised enough" and that "most people are not for data centers." They are keen to prevent construction from starting. The city reassured the public that any future data center plans would need to comply with regulations concerning power, noise, and water use. Marietta Power specifically stated that a data center at this location would not strain the electrical grid or affect existing customers.