Brookwood Council Vote Clears Last Zoning Hurdle for One of Major 3 Data Center Projects
The Brookwood City Council unanimously approved the annexation and rezoning of a parcel for a Youngwoo & Associates data center campus, clearing a significant hurdle for one of three major projects in the area. Residents raised concerns about noise, water discharge, and proximity to a middle school, while city officials highlighted the benefits of annexation for municipal control and revenue. This decision advances a key data center development in Tuscaloosa County.
The Brookwood City Council in Alabama unanimously voted to annex and rezone a parcel of land, removing the final zoning obstacle for a data center campus planned by New York-based Youngwoo & Associates. This action represents a significant step forward for one of three major data center developments identified in the eastern Tuscaloosa County industrial corridor.
The Youngwoo project, situated on a 374-acre tract, is distinct from two other major data center initiatives in the area. Applied Digital, a Dallas-based firm, holds an environmental permit for a two-million-square-foot facility on 1,300 acres, while Provident Data Centers, also from Dallas, owns over 500 acres nearby. All three projects are located in relatively close proximity to Brookwood Middle School, a point of contention for local residents.
City Attorney Jay Stuck advocated for annexation, explaining that bringing the land into the city subjects developments to crucial municipal oversight, including zoning, building permits, inspections, and business licenses, which the city can revoke. He contrasted this with the limited controls available if the land remained in the county. Residents voiced concerns about potential noise from hyperscale data centers and the discharge of "blowdown" water from cooling systems, with the middle school's proximity also being a recurring concern.
In response to resident queries, city officials stated there would be no infrastructure cost to Brookwood, as developers would fund transmission lines and grid connections. City Engineer Collins Espy noted ongoing discussions with the county board of education regarding the middle school's location within the industrial corridor. City Attorney Stuck acknowledged the absence of a decibel-specific noise ordinance but assured monitoring of industrial projects to ensure adherence to development agreements. Additionally, officials cited a new state law, effective October 1, mandating data center developers to cover their own power usage costs. While the Youngwoo site's annexation and rezoning are complete, specific site plans and further environmental permitting are still required. The other two developers' parcels are reportedly zoned but have not yet submitted formal project proposals.