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Palm Beach County Zoning Commission recommends denial of controversial data center near Arden

More than 100 people packed a Palm Beach County Zoning Commission hearing held at the Vista Center located off Jog Road regarding the data center proposal known as "Project Tango."

WPTV, James Bailey

By: Michael Hoffman

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PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — The Palm Beach County Planning and Zoning Board unanimously voted Thursday to recommend that county commissioners deny Project Tango, a proposed hyperscale AI data center planned near the Arden community and Saddle View Elementary School in western Palm Beach County.

The recommendation followed a nearly five-hour public hearing at the Vista Center that drew more than 100 attendees, with more than 40 residents speaking during public comment. The project now heads to the Palm Beach County Commission, which will make the final decision during a July 15 public hearing.

WATCH BELOW: Zoning Commission recommends denial of controversial data center

Zoning Commission recommends denial of controversial data center near Arden

The proposed facility would be built approximately 1,100 feet from the Arden community and the recently opened Saddle View Elementary School.

The board's recommendation comes just days after Palm Beach County planning staff recommended approval of the project, setting up differing recommendations ahead of the commission's vote.

One of the central issues during Thursday's hearing was how the project should be classified under the county's land development code. Board members questioned whether the proposed data center qualifies as light industrial or should instead be considered heavy industrial.

Under county regulations, light industrial uses cannot create impacts beyond their property lines. Board members said they were not presented with enough evidence to conclude the facility would meet that standard.

"I cannot, in good conscience, approve this," one board member said before voting against the project.

Another board member said the hearing exposed a broader issue with the county's development regulations.

"The code needs to be revised, because, as one of the residents said, this is the opportunity to build the same thing everywhere," the board member said.

Residents packed the hearing room, many raising concerns that have persisted since the project was first proposed, including potential health, safety, environmental and noise impacts.

"My biggest concern with the project is certainly the health and safety of our community," resident Jamie Brackett said.

Resident Laura Cole voiced concerns about noise generated by large-scale data centers.

"This low-frequency hum penetrates glass and concrete. You cannot build a wall high enough to stop it," Cole said.

For many residents who have opposed the project for months, Thursday's recommendation marked a significant moment.

"It finally feels that reality, facts, and logic are actually taking hold, which is what we've been waiting eight months for," resident Ben Brown said.

Resident Rachel Smith said she believes the board reached the correct conclusion.

"I think that they made the right decision today by recognizing that this could potentially be heavy industrial. They need to do their due diligence and make the right decision, but it seems like they're going to," Smith said.

Project developer Ernie Cox said he was disappointed by the board's recommendation but plans to use the feedback from Thursday's hearing to strengthen his case before county commissioners.

"Obviously, I'm disappointed. I would have preferred to have had a recommendation of approval," Cox said.

Cox said his team will review the issues raised during the hearing and provide additional information before the July 15 meeting.

"My job now is to take into account all the discussion that took place today, see where we need to do a better job of presenting information, and get prepared to present on July 15," Cox said.

Cox has previously argued that facilities like Project Tango are necessary to support the region's growing demand for artificial intelligence, cloud computing and other emerging technologies.

County commissioners are expected to consider both the planning staff's recommendation for approval and the Planning and Zoning Board's recommendation for denial when they make the final decision on July 15.