Augusta commission faces packed meeting on data center moratorium
The Augusta Commission is scheduled to debate a temporary moratorium on new data center applications, urged by the city's Planning and Development Department due to a lack of specific land use policies. This discussion is set amidst active community opposition and concerns regarding a QTS data center project near Fort Gordon, with several residents planning to speak at the upcoming meeting.
The Augusta Commission is set to discuss adopting a temporary moratorium on new data center applications, following a recommendation from the city's Planning and Development Department. The department cited Augusta's lack of specific land use policies for data centers, despite QTS actively developing a $2 billion campus near Fort Gordon. A previous committee meeting had deferred the moratorium discussion to the full commission.
The upcoming meeting is expected to feature several public speakers, many of whom are residents living near the QTS project. Speakers like Suzettra Walker and Chastanae Cherry are slated to voice concerns about data centers and advocate for the moratorium. Zakiya Mabery plans to discuss the moratorium in conjunction with ongoing revisions to Augusta's zoning ordinance, while Charles Zabel will address concerns about the QTS location amidst expanding subdivisions.
Environmental considerations are also on the agenda, with Dan Scott expected to urge commissioners to consult Augusta's Soil and Water Conservation District before approving more data center projects. Community engagement has been high, stemming from a February town hall meeting with QTS where residents raised numerous questions. In response, QTS has scheduled a community panel session for June 24 at Belair Elementary School, requesting questions be submitted in advance by June 17.