Bessemer Takes a Step Toward Huge Data Center Project

Hold on to your hats, ChumCity folks! The Bessemer Planning and Zoning Commission just gave a thumbs-up to a massive data center project that could be coming to town. On Tuesday, they recommended both a zoning change and a rezoning request that would pave the way for the project on over 670 acres off Rock Mountain Lake Road.

What's the Deal?

Logistics Land Investments is behind the proposal, which envisions a multi-building tech campus. The Commission first OK'd a change to the zoning code to allow "data centers" in areas zoned for light industrial use. This is supposed to bring Bessemer's zoning up to speed with modern industry standards.

Rezoning Approved (for Now)

Next, they voted to rezone a bunch of parcels from agricultural to light industrial. The plan? Potentially 17 data center buildings, though only about 100 acres of the total land would be actively used. The rest stays forested. The applicant also tweaked the site plan to put buildings farther away from property lines, adding a 100-foot buffer zone, with some buildings set back 200 feet or more from homes.

Not Everyone's Happy

Despite the changes, residents from McCalla and Rock Mountain Lake aren't thrilled. A packed room of citizens voiced concerns about noise, traffic, water usage, and the impact on the environment, including local waterways and wildlife. They also worry about property values and the possibility of long-term construction chaos.

Size Matters?

Some residents argued that a data center of this size is more like heavy industry than light industry and deserves a different zoning classification. They asked the Commission to consider stricter rules or a separate zoning category just for these mega-data centers.

Developer Responds

The developers pointed to environmental assessments and engineering studies, covering everything from streams and wetlands to endangered species and stormwater management. They also said the location, near major interstates and transmission lines, is perfect for the project.

What's Next?

This vote is just a recommendation. The Bessemer City Council will have the final say on both the zoning amendment and the rezoning request at a future meeting. Stay tuned for updates on when that vote will happen!