Embedded Files
The BBC news is sharing our neighbors voices, real concerns, and stories beyond our communities.
Data Center Concerns
More Data Centers = More Substations & Transmission Lines – Each new data center campus requires massive electric infrastructure, bringing high-voltage substations and transmission corridors into our neighborhoods.
Industrial Sprawl into Residential & Recreational Areas – Encroaching on the W&OD Trail, Bolen Park, schools and neighborhoods.
Visual & Environmental Impact – Towers, fenced substations and data centers replace green space and scenic views. Gas insulated substations often use SF₆ gas, one of the most potent greenhouse gases known
Noise & Light Pollution – Cooling systems, transformers, and backup generators run day and night, adding constant hums and industrial lighting where there should be quiet and dark skies.
Public Safety Concerns – High-voltage equipment increases electromagnetic field exposure and creates additional fire and hazard risks near residential zones.
No Local Benefit to Match the Impact – Data centers create few jobs relative to their size, while putting strain on roads, utilities, and the environment for decades.
Permanent Change to Our Landscape – Once built, these facilities are here for generations, locking our neighborhoods into an industrial future instead of preserving green space and community amenities.
Property Values - for most residents our home is the biggest investment of our lifetime. While there may be limited data given the relatively recent and rapid explosion of this industry, having a massive concrete monstrosity and substation in such close proximity to our neighborhoods is bound to have a negative impact on property values.
Why “Low Strain on County Services” Doesn’t Make Data Centers the Better Choice
Why “Low Strain on County Services” Doesn’t Make Data Centers the Better Choice
Many have argued that one advantage in allowing data centers is that they fall into the "low strain" land use category, meaning demands placed on county resources and agencies are minimal and manageable. Consider the following:
Ignoring the Purpose of Land Use Planning
Land isn’t zoned only to minimize county service costs — it’s zoned to build communities, provide housing, and ensure quality of life.
A parcel’s “cheapness” to maintain doesn’t mean it’s the best or most appropriate use for that location, especially when it borders neighborhoods, schools, or parks.
Loss of Community Benefits
Residential areas bring people, which means customers for local businesses, volunteers for schools and nonprofits, and a stronger local economy.
Data centers contribute none of these social or economic multipliers — their “low service cost” comes at the expense of community vibrancy.
Hidden Infrastructure Costs
Data Centers require massive new substations, transmission corridors, and road upgrades to handle construction traffic.
These costs aren’t free — ratepayers and taxpayers ultimately bear the financial and visual burden.
Unbalanced Tax Revenue Argument
Proponents often point to high property taxes from data centers, but this revenue is volatile and heavily dependent on a single industry.
Over-reliance on one tax base creates long-term fiscal risk, especially if market demand shifts or state tax laws change.
Permanent Industrialization of Residential Areas
Once a parcel near homes is rezoned for data center use, it’s essentially removed from future community use forever.
A single “low-service” facility can lock an area into industrial character for decades, reducing surrounding property values and livability.
Quality of Life Is Also a Public Service
Parks, schools, and neighborhood amenities are not just “costs” — they’re investments in a healthy, sustainable community.
Choosing the lowest-maintenance land use ignores the county’s responsibility to create livable, connected neighborhoods.
Key Documents & Reports
Key Documents & Reports
Stay informed with the official planning materials and background documents.
Maps & Visuals
Maps & Visuals
See exactly where projects are planned and how they affect your neighborhood.
News & Media Coverage
News & Media Coverage
Stay up to date with what’s being reported in local media.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse