Friday, May 2, 2025–8:00 a.m.

-David Crowder, WRGA News-

The Rome-Floyd County Planning Commission has approved a rezoning request for a proposed data center near Coosa High School.

The property at 156 Vann Drive is currently zoned Suburban Residential, and the applicant is seeking a change to Heavy Industrial.

Planning staff notes that data centers require a substantial amount of water and electricity, as well as fiber optic.

In general, data centers have a very limited impact on traffic, streets, or schools.

The 5-2 vote to recommend approval comes with conditions requested by planning staff.

“The first is that the use be limited to a data center or uses that directly support a data center,” said Rome-Floyd Planning Director Brice Wood. “The second is that exterior lighting be limited to dark-sky lighting to prevent light trespass onto adjacent properties. Number three is that the proposed data center development shall not produce continuous sound that exceeds 65 decibels over any 30 minute period between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., nor shall the proposed data center produce a continuous sound that exceeds 55 decibels over any 30-minute period between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m.”

Brandon Bowen, the attorney for the applicant, addressed concerns about traffic in the neighborhood.

“There was some concern about the main entrance being along Eagle Drive,” he said. So, we have moved that access to Ga. 20 [Alabama Highway] from the southeast corner. That will be subject to approval from the state because that is a state route, but we should be able to do that.”

Rome-Floyd Development Authority CEO Missy Kendrick and Floyd County School Superintendent Glenn White both spoke in favor of the rezoning. White said his main concern was the possible noise and its impact on Coosa Middle School. However, after visiting a data center, he believes noise will not be an issue.

“Based on the information about the traffic and the way they have designed that, I don’t think traffic is going to be a problem,” he added. “They have also assured me that at critical points in time, like the beginning of school and at the end of school, there would be no traffic that would interfere with that.”

The Floyd County Board of Education approved the sale of the land through the development authority during its Nov. 26 meeting.

The Floyd County Commission will have the final say on the rezoning.

A public hearing is scheduled for the commission’s May 27 meeting.