DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County is facing legal action and public opposition after placing a pause on data center developments that developers claim they were promised rights to build.
Two companies report spending millions of dollars over the past three years preparing land in District 3, leading one developer to file a $30 million lawsuit against the county.
The dispute includes property purchased off Bouldercrest Road by Shadowbox Studios.
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While DeKalb County commissioners have extended the pause on data center construction, local residents gathered at Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting to demand an independent environmental study before any projects move forward.
The two companies seeking to construct data centers on parcels of land in District 3 claim DeKalb County’s planning department promised them the right to build near local communities.
The developers state they were given assurances months before the formal community engagement process began and have spent the past three years preparing the land.
In response to the county’s decision to extend the development pause, one company filed a $30 million lawsuit against DeKalb County. Commissioners did not address the data center projects during their meeting Tuesday.
Local residents wearing “No Data Campus” shirts attended Tuesday’s meeting to voice opposition to the projects. Community members have engaged with the county board, met with administration officials and held community forums over the past year to discuss concerns regarding large hyperscale AI data centers.
Opponents of the developments are requesting a fully funded, comprehensive independent health and environmental study to evaluate potential impacts on local residents before county officials consider any additional amendments.
A county zoning meeting is scheduled for Thursday.
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