A lawsuit has been filed in State Court in Colleton County regarding the proposed Data Center in Colleton County. Miles Crosby and Jennifer Singleton, both residents of Colleton County, filed suit referencing a policy that went into effect in November of last year. The policy, enacted by Colleton County, made data centers in rural areas allowable as a “special exception,” meaning they can be approved in a single vote by the Colleton County Zoning Board of Appeals.
In their lawsuit Crosby and Singleton argue that the new policy violates state law, the county’s comprehensive plan and the county’s own zoning code.
The new policy has a direct effect on the request to construct an 859-acre data center campus just south of Walterboro. In a press release, Crosby stated, “We cannot allow this ordinance to threaten our star-filled night skies, natural quiet, and enjoyment of landscapes with light, water and noise pollution.” Singleton added. “I did my due diligence and specifically chose to move to an area that was zoned for rural agricultural use,” Singleton wrote. “Now with Colleton County passing this ordinance, opening the door for this nine-building data center campus, this entire pristine and vulnerable area is under attack, undermining decades of conservation.”
The proposed project was met with strong opposition at a December public hearing of the zoning board. At that meeting the developer presented and answered questions from the zoning board and the board allowed a lengthy comment period from the public. The main concern for the residents was the location because of the possible impact on the ACE Basin. No action was taken at that meeting, and the request will be address when the developer refiles for the special exception. At the meeting the developer indicated the proposed site was selected because of the location of a 23kv power substation Santee Cooper Power is locating in the area.
The complex if built would be one of the largest data centers in the country.
