This week’s Zoning In covers Archbald, Pennsylvania’s unanimous rejection of a 14-building campus, a 14,800-signature petition seeking a data center referendum in Georgia, and bans or moratoriums across more than 100 New Jersey communities.
In California, local restrictions continue to spread despite new state protections, while Georgia’s utility commission races put data center power costs squarely on the ballot.
From school board opposition to lawsuits over alleged well contamination, communities are demanding more influence over what gets built—and who bears the costs.
The upcoming election may amplify these disputes, but their roots remain local. For developers, earning trust requires early engagement, credible answers and a meaningful role for residents in shaping projects.
Coweta County Residents Submit 14,800 Signatures Seeking Data Center Referendum
Citizens for Rural Coweta submitted more than 14,800 signatures seeking a public vote that could reverse an earlier rezoning and prohibit data centers and cryptocurrency mining countywide. The Georgia county’s probate court must determine whether the petition qualifies for a referendum. The effort follows months of organizing and demonstrates how opposition can continue after zoning approvals.
Pennsylvania Data Center Meeting Draws Packed Crowd and Unanswered Resource Questions
More than 200 residents attended a contentious meeting about a potential 550-acre data center development in Elizabeth Township, Pennsylvania. Developer Tim Hendricks outlined possible tax revenue and jobs, but said reliable electricity and water-use estimates were not yet available. Residents raised concerns about environmental impacts, nearby homes and construction disruption; no formal application had been filed as of the meeting.
Utah County Data Center Policy Meeting Ends in Arrest and Citations
A Utah County Planning Commission meeting became confrontational as protesters opposed a newly adopted ordinance establishing an approval process for data centers on unincorporated land. One woman was arrested and two others cited following a physical altercation with deputies. The woman and sheriff’s office offered conflicting accounts of the incident, underscoring the increasingly heated atmosphere surrounding local data center decisions.
Archbald Council Unanimously Rejects 14-Building Data Center Campus
Archbald, Pennsylvania, denied conditional-use approval for Cornell Realty Management’s proposed Wildcat Ridge campus, encompassing 14 buildings and 588 diesel backup generators on 578 acres. The decision followed nine hearings examining noise, traffic, air quality and compliance with local zoning standards. The developer maintained that it met the requirements; an appeal remains possible.
Renewed Utah Data Center Water Application Draws Nearly 200 Protests
O’Leary Digital’s revised water-rights application for its proposed Box Elder County campus quickly drew nearly 200 protests after two earlier applications were withdrawn. The developer argues that converting irrigation water to industrial use would reduce consumption and increase flows toward the Great Salt Lake. However, the application acknowledges uncertainty about how much water would reach the lake, while power-generation plans remain unsettled.
Georgia Families Sue Meta Over Alleged Well Water Contamination
Four Georgia families allege that construction at Meta’s Stanton Springs Data Center disturbed groundwater and contaminated their private wells with sediment, damaging appliances and disrupting daily life. Meta disputes the allegations, citing an independent study that found its activities were unlikely to have caused the problems. Congressman Ro Khanna visited affected residents and is seeking answers about the project’s siting and environmental review.
Judge Upholds Port Washington’s Public Vote Requirement for Large Tax Incentives
A Wisconsin judge dismissed a challenge to Port Washington’s voter-approved ordinance requiring public votes on large new tax incentives. The measure followed approval of $458 million in local incentives for a $15 billion data center campus involving Vantage, Oracle and OpenAI. Business and trade groups challenged the ordinance over its potential impact on economic development; further appeals remain possible.
Northern Virginia’s “Accidental Activists” Organize Against Data Center Encroachment
A Nation feature profiles Northern Virginia residents drawn into activism by nearby data centers, transmission lines, noise and concerns about air quality. The cross-partisan opposition includes technology professionals and homeowners who acknowledge the industry’s economic benefits but object to its proximity and impacts. Their organizing helped secure a 12-month pause on Loudoun County board action on data centers and electrical substations.
Georgia Utility Commission Races Put Data Center Power Costs on the Ballot
Two Georgia Public Service Commission races could shift control of the utility regulator to Democrats, with rising electricity bills and data center demand central campaign issues. The winners will help oversee Georgia Power’s expansion plans, future rates and decisions about who pays for new infrastructure. The contests illustrate how data center growth is reshaping debates over utility accountability and affordability.
Gilbert Delays Data Center Rules to Address Smaller Facilities
Gilbert, Arizona, postponed consideration of new data center regulations until December 15, giving staff more time to address smaller facilities and changing technology. The Town Council voted 6–1 for the delay despite staff’s recommendation to adopt the rules immediately. The dissenting councilmember favored establishing stronger protections now and revising them as needed.
More Than 100 New Jersey Communities Adopt Data Center Bans or Moratoriums
Cranbury and Colts Neck joined more than 100 New Jersey municipalities that have adopted data center bans or moratoriums, while additional towns are considering restrictions. Resident organizing and concerns about electricity, water, noise and pollution are driving the movement, with some bans facing developer lawsuits. Gov. Mikie Sherrill has favored tighter regulation over a statewide moratorium, including infrastructure cost protections and resource-use reporting.
Alhambra, CA Voters to Decide on Citywide Data Center Ban
Alhambra, California, voters will consider Measure DB in November, which would affirm a council-adopted ban on data centers in all city zones. The vote follows neighboring Monterey Park’s approval of a similar prohibition in June, bringing another local land-use dispute directly to the ballot.
California Communities Pursue Data Center Restrictions Despite New State Laws
At least 26 data center resolutions, moratoriums or bans have been proposed or adopted across California since June, despite seven new state laws addressing transparency, environmental review and grid protection. Oakland and San Francisco recently approved pauses, while other communities are considering tighter rules or outright bans. The growing movement reflects demands for greater local control beyond disclosure requirements.
Massachusetts Communities Move to Restrict Data Centers Before Projects Arrive
More than 30 Massachusetts communities have enacted or are considering data center restrictions, even as relatively few projects are being proposed. Concerns about noise, water use and AI are driving opposition, sometimes before a development application exists. While some officials favor bans, others want moratoriums to establish zoning standards and better understand potential impacts.
“Bragawatts” Analysis Questions How Much Announced Data Center Capacity Will Materialize
Bernstein Research estimates that roughly 35% of nearly 500 gigawatts of announced U.S. data center capacity is likely to be built, citing power availability, construction progress and developer experience. Established operators scored more strongly than speculative newcomers, while O’Leary Digital disputed its low assessment. The analysis highlights the gap between project announcements and delivery amid financing, permitting and community challenges.
Hazardous Material Discovery Complicates Digital Realty’s $3 Billion Georgia Project
Construction crews discovered combustible white phosphorus at Digital Realty’s proposed data center on the former Fort Gillem Army base, prompting work to stop in the affected area, according to a Hunterbrook investigation reported by Benzinga. Digital Realty says it expects to invest more than $100 million in remediation. Residents have also alleged blasting-related property damage, which the company disputes.
Arizona Attorney General Calls for Data Center Pause and Stronger Community Protections
At a Mesa town hall attended by more than 250 people, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes reiterated calls for a construction moratorium and stronger oversight of data center development. She emphasized transparency, water protection, developer responsibility for electricity costs and tangible community benefits. Neighborhood opposition and concerns about projects approved under older zoning rules dominated the discussion.
Suffolk Bans Data Centers as a Primary Use Citywide
Suffolk, Virginia, unanimously approved zoning changes prohibiting data centers as a primary property use throughout the city. Officials said the action closes loopholes in existing zoning and provides time to develop standards with residents and neighboring jurisdictions. City leaders left open the possibility of allowing facilities under a future ordinance with stronger community protections.
Abilene’s AI Buildout Offers Lessons for Georgia’s Effingham County
WTOC examined Abilene, Texas, to assess what Effingham County could experience if OpenAI’s proposed Project Camellia advances. Residents and officials described housing shortages, higher rents and heavier traffic associated with thousands of construction workers, alongside anticipated tax benefits. The report also compares cooling and power plans, highlighting the importance of preparing for construction impacts as well as long-term operations.
Parkland, CO School Board Opposes Data Center Campus Across From High School
Pennsylvania’s Parkland School Board unanimously opposed Project Atlas, a proposed campus totaling approximately 1.56 million square feet across from Parkland High School. Members cited concerns about noise, vibration and student and staff well-being, arguing that potential tax revenue should not outweigh school safety. Although the board lacks land-use authority, its resolution adds institutional opposition to the township’s review.
Concord, NH Requires Independent Review of Proposed Micro Data Center
Concord, New Hampshire, postponed a decision on Levitate’s proposed micro data center until November 18, requiring deeper third-party review of environmental and energy impacts. Developers say the roughly 8,160-square-foot facility would have a smaller footprint and no permanent municipal water connection. Residents nevertheless questioned noise, environmental effects and future expansion, showing that smaller projects also face scrutiny.
Pittsburg Students Plan Walkout as Coalition Pushes for Data Center Ban
Students in Pittsburg, California, planned an October 19 walkout and march opposing the AVAIO data center project ahead of a City Council discussion. Organizers said their petition had nearly 30,000 signatures and called for a 90-day moratorium, a citywide ban and greater transparency. The campaign brings together students, families, educators and union members despite the project’s earlier approval.
