Augusta Commission faces data center vote amid growing community pushback

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Augusta-Richmond County commissioners are set to vote on a proposed ordinance that would be the county’s first set of rules specifically for data centers — and decide whether to extend a moratorium on new facilities before it expires.

Eleven residents signed up to speak ahead of the meeting, raising concerns about utility costs, water quality, and what they described as a process moving too fast without enough community input.

What the proposed ordinance would do

The draft ordinance would restrict data centers and high-density computing facilities to heavy industrial zoning only, require a special exception and public hearing before any project is approved, and set standards for noise, cooling systems, and buffers from homes and farms.

Under the proposal, facilities would need to maintain a 500-foot buffer from residential or agricultural properties — reduced to 300 feet if a planted visual screen blocking the line of sight is installed. Noise could not exceed 65 decibels measured at the property line. All facilities would be required to use air-cooled or closed-loop cooling systems; open-loop or water-consumptive systems would be prohibited unless Augusta Utilities grants a written exception.

The ordinance would also require applicants to submit a utility service coordination letter, an emergency access and safety plan, annual compliance certifications, and noise testing before and after operations begin.

Minister Shavonne Williams, executive director of Partners for Faith and Justice, said the level of public turnout reflects the depth of concern in the community.

“People are concerned with the data centers, and the fact that you’ve had 11 speakers sign up on the same thing is indicative of our community-wide concern,” Williams said.

Williams said residents feel the process has moved without fully examining the consequences.

“There’s a confusion about data centers. There’s a feeling that it’s been rushed without thoroughly investigating what the community impacts are,” she said.

She called on commissioners to extend the moratorium and hear from residents before taking further action.

“The commissioners need to listen to the people,” Williams said. “I know data centers may be necessary somewhere, but is it right for Augusta-Richmond County, where we already have a lot of health concerns, we have water concerns?”

Denice Traina, a Richmond County resident, said the community needs time to gather information before moving forward.

“I think we need to be very discerning and say, ‘What exactly will the effects be? What have they been across the nation and other places? Let’s educate ourselves and gather the information and look at the best policies to move forward for our community,’” Traina said.

Traina said any development should benefit residents.

“Anything that comes into this city, there should be a win situation for this city,” she said. “We don’t wanna see more of our land being taken up by boxes and by huge corporations and their interest.”

Priscilla Wheeler, also a Richmond County resident, said the timeline has not allowed for a thorough review.

“There’s no possible way to be able to come up with a logical, clear, precise memorandum that addresses everything in forty-nine days, and I don’t think thirty days is still enough,” Wheeler said.

Wheeler said the stakes extend beyond individual households.

“We need to slow down and really think clearly because this is impacting the livelihoods and our natural resources that once they’re polluted, there’s no guarantee that they can be replaced or fixed,” she said.

The conversation began with neighbors living near a proposed site. Wanda Samuels asked why residents should be subjected to something that would “disturb our peace.” Andrew Chatman II said the unknowns were the core issue.

“It’s a lot of unknowns. We just wanna make sure that we’re safe, the community is safe. You know, we got kids that are growing up in this community as well,” Chatman said.

Zakiya Mabery, who lives in Haynes Station, said her concerns have only grown since the issue first surfaced.

“This is personal because the more I dug from when we first met in January, I keep having more questions rather than answers,” Mabery said.

What happens next

Planning staff have recommended the commission adopt the ordinance outright. The Augusta Planning Commission recommended extending the moratorium by 60 more days. Commissioners were unable to reach agreement at their last meeting.

Whatever commissioners decide, the QTS campus already under construction on Gordon Highway is exempt. The proposed ordinance would apply only to future projects.