The Fort Pierce planning board delayed a decision on a proposal to rezone 200 acres near Interstate 95 and Midway Road for a data center and commercial development, requesting further research before the matter moves to the city commission.
The board made two motions at its meeting. The first requested the planning department to conduct further research on the data center proposal and report back. The second motion called for the city to discuss the item at the next commission meeting. The board did not decide whether a data center qualifies as a permitted use within the light industrial zoning category, prompting the applicant to table the rezoning application.
The property, currently zoned for a mixed-use development called Willow Lakes, would be partially rezoned under the proposal submitted by Willow Lakes LLC. About 174 acres would be designated for light industrial use, limited to data center operations, while the remaining 26 acres along Midway Road would be rezoned for general commercial use, potentially allowing for a hotel, gas station, restaurants or retail businesses.
W. Lee Dobbins, the attorney representing Willow Lakes LLC, said the applicant would wait for the city to resolve the code definition question. "Therefore, there is no point in us moving forward with rezoning to light industrial," Dobbins said. "We would need to wait until that decision is over and make a decision at that time based upon what they changed the code to say."
The applicant emphasized the site's access to significant electrical infrastructure, including Florida Power Light transmission lines and a nearby substation. A large man-made lake on the property could also serve as a water source for the data center's cooling system.
Residents expressed divided opinions about the proposal. "We're not OK with them building a data center right next to our homes," said resident Sarah Quinette. "An area like that, if we keep it as agricultural land, it has a great impact in the form of pollinating insects that will return season after season."
Felix Rodriguez offered a different perspective. "I think it's pretty cool personally, just because it brings in more jobs, construction, that trade. All the freight just brings in more business," he said.
Shirley McHellon voiced opposition to the project. "I think they need to stop. They're taking away the trees, the woods and the animals ... they're just killing the animals," she said.
Before the data center can move forward with approval, the city must first decide whether to approve the rezoning request.