Proposal for Raleigh data center withdrawn from Tuesday meeting agenda
A developer has withdrawn its application for a 100,000-square-foot data center in Southeast Raleigh after facing significant community opposition and skepticism from city council members. The proposal, which was set for review, drew concerns over electricity costs, water usage, and neighborhood disturbances.
Beacon Partners, a Charlotte-based developer, has withdrawn its application for a 100,000-square-foot data center planned for 3101 Jones Sausage Road in Southeast Raleigh. The decision came amid widespread community backlash and concerns raised by Raleigh City Council members. Council members Jonathan Lambert-Melton and Megan Patton announced the withdrawal, which preempted a city council review scheduled for Tuesday. The property owner was identified as B3-SFRE JSR LLC.
Council members expressed various reservations about the project, which was considered a medium-sized data center requiring 12 megawatts. Council member Jane Harrison specifically voiced worries on Facebook about potential increases in electricity costs, drawing on city water resources following a recent drought, and noise, vibration, and heat impacts on the nearby neighborhood. She also questioned the transparency of the developers. Council member Corey Branch noted the proposed data center's size was comparable to eight other existing facilities in the city.
The community's opposition was substantial, with 134 residents signing up to speak at the public hearing, despite only 30 available slots. Council members Lambert-Melton and Christina Jones publicly thanked residents for their engagement. This local opposition aligns with findings from a July Elon University poll, which indicated a majority of North Carolinians oppose data center developments.