Franklin County residents, groups sue to stop data center rezoning and projects
Franklin County residents, neighboring landowners and advocacy organizations have filed separate lawsuits challenging the county's data center regulations and rezoning approvals for two projects. The lawsuits argue that the county used illegal spot zoning and failed to follow required approval procedures, while developer Beltline Energy says carefully planned data centers could bring investment and revenue.
Residents, neighboring landowners and two organizations have taken Franklin County to court over two data center projects approved by the Franklin County Commission. The lawsuits challenge the rezoning passed on Sept. 15 and seek to overturn the approvals, alleging that the county singled out the properties for special treatment and did not follow the required process.
The plaintiffs also argue that the projects would impose unreasonable restrictions and ongoing noise impacts on nearby residents. Bill and Jan Planet, whose farm borders one planned site, said they welcomed the legal challenge and hoped construction would be delayed or stopped. The county commissioners and developers named in the lawsuits did not respond to requests for comment. Georgia-based Beltline Energy, which promotes similar projects, has said data centers can attract billions in private investment, increase school and county revenues, and provide modern infrastructure while limiting effects on nearby communities. A judge will decide the case.