Residents Voice Data Center Opposition

Erin Hill Gadsden County News Sercice

Concerns about proposed data centers dominated public comment at the June 16 meeting of the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners, while commissioners also approved a land-use amendment for a proposed mining operation, accepted funding for the final phase of the county’s Emergency Operations Center project and delayed action on a Havana library engineering contract.

During the public comment period, multiple residents spoke about data center proposals and related concerns. Speakers included Michael Brown, William Farr, LaRae Jemison, Sallie Dixon, Tom Stratton, Lea Gates, Mac Gates, Lillian Baker and Anthony Viegbesie. Several speakers voiced opposition to data centers, while others raised concerns about their potential impact on the community. According to the meeting minutes, Interim County Administrator Reginald James said the county was not currently engaged in discussions with anyone regarding a data center project in Gadsden County.

One of the meeting’s major public hearings involved a request by Mainline Contracting LLC to amend the future land-use designation of approximately 44.7 acres at 13480 Pat Thomas Parkway from Agriculture 3 to Mining. County staff said the amendment would allow future mining activities on the property. Agenda materials noted the site had previously been used for mulch and vegetative debris associated with Hurricane Michael cleanup efforts.

During the hearing, county officials said the Planning Department had supported the proposal with recommendations that included a 15-foot berm for noise mitigation, a reclamation plan, measures to address stormwater runoff and provisions for a water-down station to control dust. However, commissioners were advised they were being asked to vote on the land-use amendment itself rather than the conditions discussed during the review process. Residents spoke both in support of and opposition to the proposal before the board voted 5-0 to approve the amendment.

Commissioners also unanimously approved acceptance of proposed funding agreement No. F0167 from the Florida Division of Emergency Management for the final stage of construction of the county’s Emergency Operations Center and Public Safety Complex. The project has been the subject of ongoing discussion by the board in recent months.

Another significant action involved the Havana Library project. Commissioners voted 5-0 to table a request for additional civil engineering services from Clemons, Rutherford & Associates. Commissioner Alonzetta Simpkins questioned whether the additional civil engineering work was necessary, stating the drawings had been part of the project from the beginning. James responded that the county needed to move the project forward, but the board ultimately chose to postpone the item.

The board approved a guaranteed maximum price contract with Cook Brothers for the Chattahoochee Library Renovation and Expansion Project and authorized the county attorney to make revisions to the contract. The measure passed unanimously.

Commissioners also approved a notice of intent to award and begin contract negotiations for the Quincy Emergency Medical Services facility project, approved a railroad reimbursement agreement for grade crossing traffic control improvements on County Road 268/Martin Luther King Boulevard, and approved design work for improvements along County Road 65 from Porter Mitchell Road to the Georgia state line through the Small County Road Assistance Program.

The board also approved appointments to the Value Adjustment Board, selected representatives for the county canvassing board and approved an amended Older Americans Act contract.

Before adjournment, commissioners voted to provide county employees the same additional July Fourth holiday leave days recently granted to state employees. The motion passed unanimously.

Residents Voice Data Center Opposition

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