Planning commission recommends denial of land use map change for data center

The Spalding County Planning and Appeals Commission has unanimously recommended the denial of a Future Land Use Map (FLUM) amendment for the proposed 75 South Data Center Campus on Tomochichi Road in Griffin, Georgia. The conceptual plan for the 292.41-acre site, spearheaded by Industrial VI Enterprises LLC in partnership with Hillwood Industrial/Logistics and PowerHouse, includes seven two-story data center buildings and a separate power station. This recommendation effectively renders moot several other requests, including a rezoning from AR-1 and R-2 to C-1C, a special exception for a data center campus, and variances related to wetlands protection and building height. Attorney Steven Jones, representing the developer, emphasized their intent to quickly develop the campus, unlike previous data center projects in the county that have not yet begun construction. The project is projected to have a $6 billion value, generate $86.3 million in annual local tax revenues, and create 200 full-time jobs. The site, currently in the Towaliga Residential Area with a portion in the Arthur K. Bolton (AKB) Overlay Zone, would require a FLUM amendment to be reclassified into the AKB Employment Corridor. The developer also addressed concerns regarding wetlands and proximity to an old landfill, asserting the site's unsuitability for residential use and proper setbacks. The planning commission's recommendation is advisory, with the final decision resting with the Spalding County Board of Commissioners at their May 28 meeting. The Development of Regional Importance (DRI) notification, filed by the state, indicates that Spalding County Water and Sewerage Authority would provide an estimated 30,000 gallons per day of water using a closed-loop system, and Central Georgia EMC would supply an estimated 450MW of power daily.