Palm Beach County Zoning Commission recommends denial for ‘Project Tango’ data center

The Palm Beach County Zoning Commission has voted unanimously to recommend the denial of "Project Tango," a controversial data center and warehouse development proposed for a 127-acre site near Loxahatchee, Florida. Commissioners cited a lack of sufficient information as the primary reason for their decision.

The project, which includes approximately 1 million square feet of data processing space and 2.3 million square feet of warehouses, has faced months of significant resident opposition. Local residents, including those from the nearby Arden community, expressed concerns about potential health, environmental, noise, air quality, and safety impacts, with many attending the public meeting wearing green T-shirts to demonstrate their opposition.

Project Manager Ernie Cox presented revisions, including reduced data center square footage and increased distance from nearby homes and Saddle View Elementary School, along with an independent health and safety assessment. County staff had recommended approval if certain conditions were met, such as architectural review, landscaping buffers, and updated sound and drainage studies.

However, residents argued that the county's current code, which categorizes data centers as "light industrial," is flawed and does not adequately address the unique impacts of such facilities. Zoning Commissioners concurred, suggesting the code needs revision before such projects move forward. The recommendation for denial will now be considered by the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, who are scheduled to cast a final vote on July 15.