Project Tango: Commissioners grill developer over noise, water use at AI data center hearing
Palm Beach County Commissioners held a contentious all-day hearing for Project Tango, a proposed AI data center in Loxahatchee. Neighbors opposed the project, citing concerns about noise, water use, and property values, while the developer defended the plan and an earlier approval. Commissioners grilled the developer ahead of a final vote, which follows a judge's denial of an emergency request to block the project.
Palm Beach County Commissioners convened an all-day, high-stakes hearing for "Project Tango," a controversial AI data center proposed for Loxahatchee. The hearing at the Palm Beach County Government Center drew over 100 community members, many of whom wore "no data center" shirts and delivered emotional testimony urging commissioners to reject the project. Neighbors voiced significant concerns regarding potential low-frequency noise, increased water usage, and the impact on property values and Saddle View Elementary School.
The developer, who was grilled by commissioners for hours, clarified that the current vote pertains to adding approximately 1.5 million square feet for "phase two" of the project, asserting that the data center itself received initial approval in 2016. However, some commissioners questioned whether the project's evolution warranted a fresh, closer review. Supporters of Project Tango highlighted the potential for job creation and economic benefits.
Ahead of the hearing, developers revised their plans, reportedly moving data center buildings and cooling equipment further from residential areas and the nearby school. A Palm Beach County judge had also recently denied an emergency request to block commissioners from considering the project. The hearing concluded with public comment continuing before commissioners were set to deliberate and cast a final vote on the development.