Zoning Board denies Project Tango AI data center

The Palm Beach County Zoning Commission unanimously recommended denying Project Tango's request to nearly double development rights for a 202-acre site intended for a hyperscale AI data center and warehouses. Despite a smaller-than-expected crowd, 39 residents from the neighboring Arden community spoke in opposition, citing concerns about noise, heat, light pollution, and potential harm to a nearby elementary school. Resident Tony Reyes highlighted the community's fight against powerful companies, while attorney John Eubanks questioned the county's "light industrial" classification for data centers.

The denial, however, is not the final decision. The Palm Beach County Commission is scheduled to hold a zoning hearing on July 15, where commissioners could override the zoning board's recommendation. District Commissioner Sara Baxter has been urged by the county attorney to recuse herself due to her stated opposition to the project. Furthermore, PBA Holdings, the majority landowner, has existing administrative approvals for 752,000 square feet of data center space it can pursue if the expansion request fails.

Adding complexity to the project, WPB Logistics, an Atlanta company backed by TPA Group, which contracted to buy most of the property in 2021, is pursuing its own plans to convert 1.2 million square feet of approved warehouse space to data center use on its 60 acres. WPB Logistics' attorney, Tara Duhy, argued that PBA Holdings lacked the right to pursue the expanded development without her client's consent and has filed a lawsuit against PBA Holdings. Environmental concerns were also raised by Christina Reichert, senior attorney for Earthjustice, who warned of the project's potential impact on area waterways critical to Everglades restoration.