Spartanburg County Council weighs public hearing on NorthMark data center permit
Spartanburg County residents voiced concerns over the NorthMark data center's impact on traffic and wildlife at a recent County Council meeting. The Southern Environmental Law Center requested the county hold a public hearing and release documents for the project's land development permit. County Council members are divided on the request, with some hesitant to set an "odd precedent."
Residents of Spartanburg County voiced strong opposition to a NorthMark data center project during a recent County Council meeting. Alva Pack, a retired doctor and resident, expressed concerns about land clearing, tree loss, displaced wildlife, increased traffic, and noise from construction equipment near his home on Spring Lake Drive. He also criticized the difficulty in obtaining information about the project from both the company and county offices, mentioning the need for Freedom of Information Act requests.
The state Department of Environmental Services has announced it will hold a public meeting to gather comments on NorthMark's proposal to build 450-megawatt natural gas turbines for the data center. Separately, on May 4, the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) sent a letter to the county requesting a public hearing on NorthMark's pending land development permit application and the public release of submitted project documents and plans. County officials have not yet committed to releasing these documents without a formal records request.
Spartanburg County Council members are discussing the SELC's request. Councilmembers Jack Mabry and Paul Abbott indicated they would entertain the idea of a public hearing but stressed the need for further council discussion. However, Councilmember Jessica Coker expressed definitive opposition, stating that holding such a hearing would be "outside the scope of what we normally do" and would set an "odd precedent." County Administrator Cole Alverson confirmed that the decision rests with the council.