Proposed Project Thunderbird data center in Enid faces rezoning delay after item canceled
Enid city leaders postponed a rezoning hearing for the proposed Project Thunderbird data center campus until Oct. 27 to allow greater attendance and public comment. Residents remain divided, with supporters citing projected jobs and economic growth while opponents raise concerns about noise, pollution, water use and unclear protections.
The City of Enid delayed consideration of rezoning for Project Thunderbird, a proposed multi-campus data center development that includes a west campus near residential properties. The rezoning item was moved to a special meeting at the Stride Bank Center on Oct. 27 to encourage greater public attendance and comment.
Residents Robert Marker and Angelyne Woolf expressed opposing views. Marker supported the project’s projected 600 permanent jobs and 1,500 construction jobs, while Woolf and other neighbors questioned the potential effects of industrial zoning, noise and the timing of neighborhood protections. Additional concerns include pollution, water intake and the project’s power needs.
The group No Data Centers in Enid is opposing the development and questioning the developers’ claims, including whether the campuses could ultimately be sold to major technology companies. No rezoning decision had been made at the time of the report, and city officials planned to continue gathering public input.