Piedmont City Council again tables special zoning draft for Project Open Sky data center
The Piedmont City Council once again tabled a special zoning draft for the proposed "Project Open Sky" data center campus, citing the absence of a council member. This marks the second delay in less than two weeks, frustrating local residents who attended the meeting and expressed their desire for the council to take action. The Planning Commission had previously recommended denying the project.
The Piedmont City Council in Oklahoma has again postponed a decision on a special zoning draft for a proposed data center campus, known as Project Open Sky. This marks the second time in less than two weeks the council has tabled the agenda item, citing the absence of a council member.
Piedmont Mayor Kurt Mayabb initiated the motion to delay, stating his commitment to ensuring all residents are represented by their ward member before a vote is cast. Ward 5 Councilman Byron Schlomach voiced disagreement, questioning the necessity of the delay when other council members were prepared to vote.
The item, which included a revised request with new specifics from the developer Cloverleaf, was tabled on a 3-2 vote, pushing the decision to the next City Council meeting scheduled for October 26.
Residents expressed significant frustration over the repeated delays. Roy Nelson, a Piedmont resident, highlighted the ongoing nature of the postponements, while Rodney Jones noted that the Planning Commission had recommended denying the project months ago. Both residents called for the council to move forward with a decision, with Nelson emphasizing the council's responsibility to negotiate the best possible deal for the town if the project proceeds.