The QTS data center construction project zoning is about to get a minor overhaul from the Fayetteville City Council.
One purpose is to clarify exactly what will happen to the current tree buffer separating the large construction area and the adjacent Ga. Highway 54 right of way.
The trees will stay in until after the buildings are constructed. After that, all vegetation will be removed and replaced by berms and fencing.
The second change clarifies that a northern campus access point onto Sandy Creek Road may need further study and permission from the state.
The council will vote on the changes this Thursday, Sept. 21, at Fayetteville City Hall, 210 Stonewall Ave. West, Fayetteville.
In another zoning action, the council will consider modifying the Villages of Lafayette mixed use development to allow any of the 208 “all-suites” hotel rooms to have kitchenettes but prohibit them from containing any appliances like stoves, cooktops, ranges or other cooking appliances.
The development is planned for 30 multi-family apartments to be built on the second, third and fourth floors above retail shops and commercial space at West Lanier Avenue and Tiger Trail.
Also, the new Tesla electric vehicle dealership at 1302 Hwy. 85 North wants to expand. It’s asking to rezone an existing adjacent residential lot to high-intensity commercial to create an overflow parking lot with 296 spaces.
Here’s the zoning change proposed for the data center tract: “It is further understood that existing vegetation within the undisturbed buffer adjoining Highway 54 (only) will remain in place during construction activities to assist in screening building construction, contractor parking, material storage, construction trailers, etc. It is also understood vegetation will be removed from this buffer following construction and the entire area between Highway 54 and the internal roads and buildings will be regraded and enhanced with berms, landscaping, tree replacement, security fencing, and/or to provide a multi-use path connection with new landscaping and other amenities to enhance the appearance and aesthetics of the campus from Highway 54.”
The second change is about a Sandy Creek Road access point: ”The site plan shall provide for a future access point as the northern campus develops, subject to city, county, and state approvals and permits as required. It is understood a proposed shared roadway connection to Sandy Creek Road may warrant further review by the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and the recommendations within the Notice of Decision associated with DRI #3813. It shall be the sole responsibility of the Applicant to obtain all necessary approvals and permits.”
This is the ugliest thing ever built in Fayette County…now they are going to cut down all the rest of the trees? Ridiculous. The residents of Fayetteville need to pay attention to their Council votes..
On a similar note, how many more apartments are they going to build? Wow. They are popping up all over Fayetteville..
Stepping down off my soap box.
The trees replaced by berms & fencing are next to a highway. Is that such a big deal? I used to drive along Hwy 54 with trees on the side & now it’s berms & fencing – I’m not sure why that’s a heartache. A data center is pretty benign business neighbor. Not ugly windmills or solar crap, not a factory with pollution.
True – PTC & F’ville are changing & growing, but the data center seems like it’s more positive than negative.
Think about the poor birds. It’s a whole lot easier and safer to unload guano off a tree branch than a stupid berm.
Yet we still vote for these people who make these decisions. No one opposed the mayor position so we will continue in the same downward spiral of more developer interests and less citizen interests. Fayetteville will look like Riverdale and we will get that same type of crime. Trilith will probably build a concertina fence around to keep undesirables out. Can’t wait for the MARTA buses to start clogging up the already clogged up streets, thanks to all the overbuilding. I guess climate change is only a concern if not enough money is exchanging hands. Who needs trees? Guess that CO2 exchange is not important for our environment. I’d like to thank our wonderful city council and mayor for the great destruction of our quaint town. What a legacy you will have…tract homes, crime, and a worthless data center.
Us homeowners around this data site opposed this but were shut down. They already had the money in their pockets and the big promise of jobs before the first public meeting. What will replace it once some kid at Georgia Tech develops a new storage device and data centers become obsolete? Contrary to what Esteban says above, it WILL look like a factory and the noise and light pollution along with the environmental impact will be extensive.
Arguments for keeping the existing trees are disingenuous at best, although more likely just filled with ignorance. That entire tree line is completely taken over by a highly invasive non-native tree species. Neighboring states are trying to eradicate them, but GA is lagging. If one truly cares about native plants and green space, one would be advocating for eliminating 100% of these trees within the entire property boundary on any new construction. The new plan is far better than the old plan on many levels. At least is gets rid of them along the road frontage.
Assuming your statement is true, why not plant native trees after removing the invasive trees?
The citizens of Fayetteville must watch closely to ensure the 7,000 trees are planted as promised. I still can’t believe 6,000 trees were removed for this Data Center. Rezoning the data center project????
What a generous concession from the Fayetteville City Council. The trees and green space will be allowed to remain until building is completed. Then, we will be treated to fencing. I assume it will be industrial in nature, performance and appearance. Will it be crowned with razor wire? Ah, welcome to the new Fayette County.
Thanks Fayetteville for having my back. Yes, I’m being sarcastic. The rezoning from the QTS Data Center’s tree buffer to “the he trees will stay in until after the buildings are constructed. After that, all vegetation will be removed and replaced by berms and fencing.”