Thousands of people have signed a petition at Change.org opposing a $5 billion dollar data center in Columbus. Project Ruby is the name of the proposed data center, and it would be located on Layfield Road in the Upatoi area of Muscogee County. Neighbors and local citizens are voicing their concerns to “the appropriate local governing authority and planning/zoning decision-makers with jurisdiction over Muscogee County, Georgia (including any Board of Commissioners/City Council, Planning Commission, and Zoning Board, as applicable).”
The petition reads as follows:
I. Request for Action
Petitioners respectfully oppose the Proposed Development and request that the governing authority:
FIRST.- Deny, table, or condition any application(s) required for the Proposed Development, including but not limited to rezoning, special use permit, conditional use permit, variance, development permit, and/or site plan approval, unless and until the applicant demonstrates—through competent, publicly disclosed evidence—full compliance with applicable zoning procedures and that the proposal is consistent with the public health, safety, welfare, and morals of the community.
SECOND.- Require the applicant to provide complete and accurate information about anticipated environmental impacts, noise, traffic, infrastructure demands (electricity, water, sewer), public safety impacts, and property value impacts, and to fund any independent studies needed for informed decision-making.
THIRD.- Ensure that all required public notice and hearing procedures are strictly followed pursuant to Georgia law, including the Georgia Zoning Procedures Law. See, e.g., OCGA § 36-66-1 (Short Title; “Zoning Procedures Law”).
II. Parties and Standing
Petitioners include homeowners, renters, and other community members who live, work, attend school, worship, and/or own property in and around Muscogee County, Georgia. Petitioners will be directly affected by the Proposed Development’s potential impacts on neighborhood character, environmental conditions, traffic and road safety, infrastructure capacity, and property values.
III. Background (General)
Upon information and belief, a developer has proposed construction and operation of a large-scale data center in and/or near Muscogee County, Georgia. Such facilities are typically associated with:
• substantial and continuous electricity demand and associated transmission/substation infrastructure;
• increased demand on water resources (including potential cooling-related consumption) and potential impacts to wastewater/sewer systems;
• significant construction traffic and ongoing service traffic;
• continuous or intermittent mechanical and HVAC noise, including backup generator testing and operation;
• site grading, stormwater runoff, and other environmental impacts.
Petitioners submit this petition to ensure that the governing authority evaluates the Proposed Development in a transparent manner and in accordance with law, and to urge denial (or, at minimum, strict conditions) where the proposal threatens community well-being.
IV. Grounds for Opposition
A. Environmental Concerns
Petitioners are concerned that the Proposed Development will adversely affect local environmental resources, including but not limited to air quality, stormwater runoff, habitat, and overall environmental quality. Petitioners request that the governing authority require comprehensive evaluation of site disturbance, impervious surface impacts, erosion and sediment controls, and any necessary state or federal environmental permitting.
B. Noise Pollution
Petitioners are concerned that operational noise from HVAC systems, mechanical equipment, loading/service activity, and backup generators may create persistent nuisance conditions, disturb sleep, and negatively affect quality of life. Petitioners request enforceable noise limits, continuous monitoring where appropriate, and meaningful setback/buffering requirements.
C. Increased Traffic and Road Safety
Petitioners are concerned about increased construction and operational traffic, including heavy trucks, on local roads that may already be constrained. Petitioners request an independent traffic impact study addressing intersections, school bus routes, emergency response access, and required road improvements—with all costs borne by the applicant.
D. Infrastructure Impacts (Electricity, Water, and Sewer)
Petitioners are concerned that the Proposed Development’s utility demands may require new or expanded infrastructure, including transmission lines, substations, water lines, wastewater capacity, and related facilities, potentially imposing cost burdens on residents or increasing service risks. Petitioners request:
• full disclosure of projected peak and average electricity usage;
• identification of required grid upgrades/substations/transmission work;
• full accounting of water usage (including cooling method) and wastewater generation;
• confirmation of available capacity and a binding commitment that the applicant will fund necessary upgrades.
E. Impact on Property Values and Community Character
Petitioners are concerned that industrial-scale facilities, associated security features (fences, lighting), and utility infrastructure may negatively affect nearby property values and alter the community’s rural/suburban character.
F. Consistency with Long-Term Planning and the Comprehensive Plan
Petitioners contend that approval of the Proposed Development may be inconsistent with applicable long-term planning goals, land use maps, and/or the jurisdiction’s comprehensive plan. Petitioners request findings that any approval is consistent with adopted planning policies and that any departure is justified by the record.
i. Kendall Creek Character Area(12) Conservancy included in the comprehensive plan will be negatively impacted by the data center.
G. Public Health, Safety, Welfare, and Morality
Petitioners object to the Proposed Development to the extent it undermines public health, safety, welfare, and morals, including through noise, traffic hazards, environmental degradation, infrastructure strain, and reduced livability.
V. Legal and Procedural Considerations (Georgia)
Petitioners request strict adherence to all applicable procedural requirements governing zoning and land use decisions, including public notice and hearings.
Georgia courts have recognized that zoning actions must comply with due process requirements under the Georgia Constitution, including adequate notice and opportunity to be heard where required. See, e.g., Bell v. Studdard, 220 Ga. 756, 141 S.E.2d 536 (1965) (addressing constitutional infirmity where an ordinance failed to provide for notice and hearing to affected owners).
Petitioners further request that the governing authority ensure compliance with the Georgia Zoning Procedures Law and any applicable local ordinances implementing those requirements. See OCGA § 36-66-1 (“Zoning Procedures Law”).+
VI. Requested Conditions (If the Proposal Is Not Denied)
If the governing authority does not deny the Proposed Development, Petitioners request that approval be conditioned, at minimum, on enforceable requirements that protect neighboring residents and public resources, including:
FIRST.- Noise protections, including measurable decibel limits at property lines, restrictions on generator testing hours, and ongoing compliance monitoring with clear enforcement mechanisms.
SECOND.- Traffic and road improvements, including any turn lanes, signalization, road widening, trucking route restrictions, and construction scheduling limitations recommended by an independent traffic study.
THIRD.- Environmental and stormwater protections, including enhanced buffers, tree preservation where feasible, and stormwater controls designed for extreme events with third-party review.
FOURTH.- Utility/infrastructure funding commitments, requiring the applicant to pay for all needed electricity, water, sewer, and related public safety improvements without shifting costs to taxpayers.
FIFTH.- Lighting and visual buffering, including dark-sky compliant lighting, vegetative screening, and setbacks sufficient to protect residential areas.
SIXTH.- Emergency management and public safety planning, including fire protection planning appropriate for electrical infrastructure and battery systems (if any), coordination with local fire/EMS, and funding for any necessary equipment/training.
VII. Reservation of Rights
Petitioners reserve the right to submit additional comments, evidence, and legal objections; to participate in all public hearings; and to pursue any remedies available under Georgia law if required procedures are not followed.
You can sign the petition here: Change.org – Results page
