Bessemer Proposes Data Center to City Council

Bessemer Planning and Zoning Committee Approves Data Center Rezoning

On Tuesday, September 16, the Bessemer Planning and Zoning Committee approved a rezoning request for a large-scale data center project planned along Rock Mountain Lake Road. This decision marks a significant step forward for the project, which is now set to be reviewed by the city council.

The proposal has sparked considerable debate among residents and local officials. The developer, Logistics Land Investments LLC, seeks to rezone the property from agricultural to industrial use. This change would allow the construction of a $14.9 billion hyperscale data center on over 670 acres. While the company claims only about 100 acres will be developed, community members remain concerned about the potential impact on their lives.

Residents like Ron Morgan, who lives near the proposed site in unincorporated Jefferson County, voiced strong opposition. He criticized the city for not considering the concerns of homeowners who do not have voting rights in Bessemer. Morgan highlighted the energy demands of the data center, suggesting that additional power plants may be necessary to support the project. He questioned who would bear the cost of these new facilities, noting that limited liability companies (LLCs) might not cover the expenses.

Before the vote, the committee heard from numerous community members who expressed worries about pollution, rising utility bills, declining home values, and harm to local wildlife. Charles Miller of the Alabama Rivers Alliance raised concerns about the lack of clarity regarding the cooling systems for the data center. He also questioned the air quality, warning that exposure to pollutants could lead to serious health issues, including asthma, respiratory illnesses, and cancer.

Despite these concerns, the developer maintains that the project will bring economic benefits to the area. Brad Kaaber, representing Logistics Land Investments, stated that the data center could create over 300 high-paying jobs. He emphasized that many of these positions would be white-collar roles with starting salaries in the six-figure range. Kaaber also claimed that the project has already undergone a phase one environmental study, which found no major environmental issues.

In addition, the developer assured the community that power and water rates would not increase. Kaaber explained that the data center would draw water from the Warrior River, without taking it from streams or drilling wells on the site. All wastewater would be directed into the Jefferson County sewer system.

However, the meeting saw very few supporters of the project. Ron Marshall, a proponent, argued that the development could benefit the city’s schools and infrastructure. Michael Turner, the superintendent of Bessemer City Schools, echoed this sentiment, stating that the project could positively impact the lives of many citizens.

Opponents also raised concerns about the potential effects on the Northern Beltline project in the area. They fear that the data center could interfere with existing transportation plans and further strain local resources.

As the city council prepares to review the rezoning request, the debate over the data center continues. Residents remain divided between the promise of economic growth and the risks associated with such a large-scale development. The final decision will likely shape the future of Bessemer and its surrounding communities.