Upatoi residents file lawsuit to block Columbus data center overlay district

A group of Upatoi landowners, operating as Keep It Rural LLC, has initiated a lawsuit to challenge an overlay district approved by the Columbus City Council in Georgia. The district, greenlit on June 16, aims to establish safeguards for technology companies, including data centers, looking to operate in the Columbus area. This legal action follows protests where demonstrators expressed opposition to data center development.

Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson has acknowledged the council's ongoing research into the potential effects of data centers on residents, specifically mentioning concerns about water usage, utility costs, and noise pollution. He noted that the city's water department president was consulted on supply concerns, confirming the city's capacity to draw up to 92 million gallons daily, far exceeding its current 30 million-gallon usage. Mayor Henderson and leaders from Choose Columbus, the city's development authority, visited a QTS data center in Fayetteville, Georgia, observing its operation and stating they did not detect constant noise.

However, Fayetteville resident Cesar Augusto reported experiencing low water pressure two years after the data center's construction near his home. Attorney James Clifton, a GOP nominee for the Fayette County Board of Commissioners, highlighted residents' worries about noise, traffic, and the environmental impact on the Flint River, noting that the Flint Riverkeeper issued a 60-day notice of lawsuit to QTS over alleged runoff violations. Upatoi residents have voiced similar concerns regarding wildlife, natural habitats, and noise from the proposed Columbus facility. Mayor Henderson maintains that the council has not made a final decision and remains receptive to community input. The city of Columbus is now expected to respond to the lawsuit filed by Keep It Rural LLC.