Residents shut down data center plans south of Atlanta
Residents in Lovejoy, Clayton County, successfully opposed plans for a data center, leading to the developer's withdrawal of the project and the city's intent to update zoning laws to prevent future data center construction. This comes as Clayton County maintains a moratorium on data center applications, and Fulton County Commissioners work to end tax incentives for such developments.
Vocal pushback from residents in the Clayton County community has led to the cessation of plans for a data center. The Lovejoy City Council held a special meeting to address the withdrawal of a data center facility proposed for Panhandle Road. Developers have since indicated they will build a residential community instead.
Lovejoy's Mayor stated that the council will focus on updating zoning regulations to prevent data centers from being built in the city. Separately, Clayton County has a moratorium on data center applications that extends through the end of the year. In neighboring Fulton County, commissioners are actively seeking to deter data center development by eliminating tax incentives, having approved a resolution opposing such tax breaks this past week. They argue that companies will still build in Georgia without these extra motivations.
Public sentiment appears to largely oppose data center developments, with one resident noting, "I think many people are against it and I'm one of those people as well. We're not against data centers, we're just against data centers in our communities." The process to update zoning in Lovejoy is expected to start immediately and be presented to the city council next month.