Piedmont delays vote on revised Cloverleaf data center plans
The Piedmont City Council tabled a vote on Cloverleaf's revised plans for a proposed AI data center, delaying the decision until its September 28th meeting. Council members cited the need for more time to revise the planned development (PUD) language, while residents continue to express concerns despite revisions that cap water use and remove on-site power generation.
The Piedmont City Council has once again postponed a decision on Cloverleaf's proposed AI data center, tabling the vote until September 28. Council members, including Ward 5 Council Member Byron Schlomach, indicated they require more time to refine the planned development (PUD) language to ensure a thorough understanding of the agreement and developer accountability.
Cloverleaf revised its initial proposal following extensive community feedback. The updated plan eliminates on-site power generation facilities, such as natural gas plants, battery storage, and geothermal power. It also introduces a cap on water use at 75,000 gallons per day, mandates closed-loop cooling systems, prohibits the use of water wells, and commits to independent noise monitoring. Additionally, Cloverleaf pledged to fund project-related water, sewer, and road improvements, as well as third-party reviews of its studies.
Despite these revisions, Piedmont residents, who have been actively opposing the project for months, remain concerned. Ali Taylor, a resident, described the exhaustive efforts of the community, stating, "We're all exhausted. I'm sure everybody in the city is as well, but we're not stopping." Council Member Schlomach acknowledged the ongoing efforts to balance resident concerns with private property rights and legal considerations.