Jones County commissioners approve new data center text amendment amid tension
Commissioners rejected calls for a moratorium as residents raised concerns over process and transparency.
JONES COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- The Jones County Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve a new text amendment outlining regulations for data centers in the county during a public hearing Thursday. The decision came after residents expressed both support and opposition to potential data center development.
Attorney Ken Gerard, assisting the county, explained that the amendment includes input from the Development Authority while ensuring data centers are not treated as an “as of right” use. Some residents had hoped the board would impose a moratorium instead.
According to the county, the updated amendment includes 200-foot setbacks from property lines, 400-foot setbacks for noise-generating buildings, buffer zones of up to 200 feet that can be adjusted by the board, and noise limits of 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night.
“I hope that everybody won’t drink the Kool-Aid, and will accept the moratorium,” a resident said during public comment.
Tensions rose as commissioners addressed personal comments and criticisms directed toward them over the past few months. Commissioner Daylon Martin acknowledged online posts targeting him personally.
“And if I read Facebook posts, I know y’all don’t like me, and I’m okay with that. Some of y’all want me to go back to Africa. That was cute,” Martin said.
Planning and Zoning member Steven Hoyitt added that most board members were excluded from a September work session, except for the chairman.
“Now do you disagree with what I just said? Okay, well it’s all public record,” Hoyitt said.
Resident Alex Lefholz also spoke to Commissioner Sam Kitchens about procedural issues during the planning process.
“Sam, on the morning of October 1, you told me to send anything I had regarding the procedural defects to ‘my personal email so it wouldn’t be discoverable on an open records request,'” Lefholz said. “Thank you.”
“Disappointed but not surprised,” she later added regarding the vote’s outcome.
Despite the controversy, Commissioner Martin expressed enthusiasm about the decision.
“I’m excited,” he said. “Let’s go. If you are out there, we are open for business.”
The amendment now sets the framework for any future data center projects, incorporating public feedback while keeping regulatory controls in place.
