NAHUNTA — “As of today, (Brantley County) commissioners are in the process of deciding whether or not they would like to add data centers as a component of light industrial zoning to our land use ordinance. Period — end of story.”
This was County Manager Joey Cason’s response Friday, January 9 during a 30-minute interview concerning the possibility of a data center replacing the controversial landfill in the eastern portion of the county between Atkinson and Waynesville on the southside of Hwy. 82 East.
Cason did confirm the county has been approached about a possible data center. However, there’s been no formal application for such a facility.
“If you read her (Mittie Vaughn, Brantley Express) article, it said this company has asked for us to give them a letter, basically telling them pretty much it’s okay to do this,” said Cason. “As of today, no one has been told to draft any letter or anything The county manager explained for a letter to be drafted the current Land Use Ordinance has to be amended.
“This wasn’t part of the Land Use Ordinance when it was created,” said Cason. “So, all of the steps that it’s in the Land Use Ordinance are being taken to consider the possibility of adding data centers as an option, as a Special Exception to Light Industrial.”
The County Commission will hold a Public Hearing at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 20 inside the Brantley Courthouse to discuss a proposed amendment to the Land Use Ordinance to add “Date Centers” as a Special Exception under Light Industrial zoning.
“It was supposed to have been held (Tuesday) January 6,” said Cason, “but, there was a mistake that was made in the date on the ad. We had to postpone the Public Hearing and re-advertise.”
Cason said he contacted County Attorney Steven Blackerby offering his opinion of the postponement and the attorney agreed.
“We (county) are notifying all the surrounding property owners, as the Land Use Ordinance directs us,” said Cason. “We’ve put another sign up. We are now advertising with the correct date.”
The county manager said the hearing is “not to allow a data center in, but to allow the commissioners to determine whether or not they want to add data centers as a special exception to the land use ordinance.”
Cason explained the importance of a Special Exception.
“Anytime someone wants to do bring in a data center, they have to come and apply for a special exception,” he said. “That process entails them going before the Planning Commission, who will then make a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners.
“If they make a recommendation that it does not need a Public Hearing, then it we will not have a Public Hearing. If they recommend we go ahead and have a Public Hearing, then it would go to a Public Hearing.
“The Board of Commissioners have the right to deny or approve that Special Exception. This will never bind future boards to doing something based on something that a past commission did. It will always require a Special Exception to go before the current Board of Commissioners.”
