BY DONNA SWICEGOOD
The objections of more than 30 people — the vast majority of whom are not city residents — did little to convince the Statesville City Council that rezoning nearly 350 acres to make way for a massive data center in western Iredell County was not in the city’s best interests.
Compass Data Centers wants to build five 270,000-square-foot buildings on property off Stamey Farm Road. A company official said the investment in the project would be more than $1 billion.
Following Monday’s public hearing, council members voted unanimously to approve the rezoning request.
City Councilman Steve Johnson said he researched the data center and the rezoning request extensively and talked with residents in advance of Monday’s meeting.
“I have not heard an effective argument against this proposal. I’m sorry, I just have not,” Johnson said. “The argument that it would do harm to the community, to me, does not meet the level which I should vote to deny somebody the right to sell their property and somebody else to use that property in the manner they see fit.”
Next up will be a public hearing on October 6, when the council will consider a request to annex the property into the city limits.
The city council chambers were packed with many attendees wearing “No Data Center” stickers and some carrying signs stating their opposition to the project. Another 50 to 60 people watched the meeting via video feed in the lobby of city hall.
Most of those who spoke during the public hearing said they were adamantly opposed to the data center, citing concerns about excessive demand on the power grid, increased noise from the facility and health concerns.
Jade Benfield, who spoke first after the public hearing was opened, said the proposal is “not acceptable to any of us.” She implored council to reject the request.
Donna Larkin told council that the addition of the data center and the tax revenues it will generate is not worth the trade-off of air pollution and possible health side effects.
Other speakers said the building and operation of a data center is not the legacy they want for their children and grandchildren.
Christina Meador, in her remarks to council, said she did not want the data center in her neighborhood or anywhere else in Iredell County.
Several speakers expressed concerns about the fact that this rezoning was being considered by the city council when they live in the county and cannot vote for the council members or mayor.
Five of the 37 who signed up to speak did express their support of the rezoning and the data center.
Tommy Chapman said property owner David Stamey and his family have been unfairly vilified for selling their land for the project.
Paula Huffman lives on Stamey Farm Road near the proposed site of the data center.
“Would I like to see that farm stay the way it is? Absolutely,” she said.
But, she said, the property use is going to change and there are worse possibilities than a data center.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business:
♦ The city council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance to annex property at Jane Sowers and James Farm roads for a townhome development. The Oaks at James Farm will consist of approximately 104 townhomes.
♦ Mayor Costi Kutteh presented proclamations declaring September as Suicide Prevention Month and September 17-23 as Constitution Week.
Related
♦ Breaking News: Statesville Council unanimously approves rezoning request for massive data center