Bartow data center builder withdraws Brown Farm Road request
A data center builder in Bartow County, Georgia, withdrew its zoning request for a project near Brown Farm Road following strong opposition from residents. The decision came after the Bartow County Planning Commission voted against the proposal, though the final say had rested with the sole county commissioner, Steve Taylor, who often takes planning commission recommendations to heart.
A proposed data center project in Bartow County, Georgia, faced a significant setback as the developer withdrew its zoning request for a site west of Cartersville. This decision followed fierce opposition from local residents, who cited environmental concerns such as an endangered species, drinking water protection, and the preservation of pristine farmland as reasons against the development.
The controversy highlighted Bartow County's unique single-commissioner form of government, where Commissioner Steve Taylor has the sole authority to decide such matters. Taylor, who has served for 14 years, expressed that he finds this system efficient. While he noted that many opponents might misunderstand data centers, he also stated that he takes the recommendations of the Bartow County Planning Commission seriously. The planning commission, a seven-member body, had previously voted against the data center proposal earlier this month, prior to the developer's withdrawal of the project late Monday.