AUGUSTA, Ga. () – As Augusta’s officials plan a pivotal vote on regulations for data centers, they are preparing for an informative trip to Atlanta on August 3rd to witness the operations of an existing facility first-hand.
“My primary focus is to observe the surrounding area, particularly considering the buffers and the noise levels. Noise is a significant concern for many residents,” explained Mayor Pro-Tem Wayne Guilfoyle, noting the substantial public interest in these issues.
In the tranquil confines of the Hayne’s Station neighborhood, there is mounting unease about the QTS data center project, which is currently being developed just off Gordon Highway.
James Mitchell, a resident who settled in the neighborhood 18 months ago, was unaware of the data center’s construction plans until after his move.
“It seems unfair, considering many of us were not informed about this data center when moving in,” Mitchell remarked, echoing the sentiments of a number of local residents.
Last month, city leaders approved a seven-week moratorium on approving new sites waiting for the new regulations, but next week, to allow time to visit to the center in Atlanta, city leaders are looking at putting off the vote on the new regulation and extending the moratorium into August.
“We need to have something in place 30 days, I feel, is plenty sufficient and this is where we need to go,” said Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice.
The Mayor Pro-Tem says the moratorium should last until August 18th when he wants the vote on the regulations after the visit.
“We’ll come back and hopefully if any changes need to be done to the ordinance, we change it then if not, we just go ahead and move forward,” said Guilfoyle.
The current moratorium expires next Tuesday, so for commissioners, it will be time to make the decision.