Arden resident urges permanent delay of hyperscale data center over noise, air and light concerns

During public comment on a postponed agenda item, Cynthia Briggs identified herself as an Arden resident and urged the board to oppose a proposed hyperscale data center near her neighborhood.

Briggs described health and quality-of-life impacts she associates with data centers: diesel backup generators required for such facilities, air pollutants, and intrusive lighting. She said noise "never stops" at some data-center sites and cited internal noise levels "up to 96 dB, well above the 85 dB considered harmful to human hearing." Briggs also described large site footprints for hyperscale facilities and urged commissioners to visit Arden to see what is at stake before approving a project.

Board members noted the item had already been postponed and therefore no final action was required at the meeting. Mayor Baxter thanked Briggs for her comments and said the board would consider her concerns as the item moves forward.