Development threats: data centers, UDO rules, industrial permits, eminent domain, water quality lawsuits, solar farm conflicts
Key Questions
What actions are cities taking regarding data center regulations in Georgia?
Augusta is holding public hearings in July to shape a new data center ordinance after freezing proposals. Albany has requested citizen input on data centers via a town hall on July 7.
What concerns have been raised about the Covington data center project?
Advocacy groups allege the Covington data center and power plant are being built without proper air permits, raising issues of industry versus community health.
How is Liberty County addressing its wastewater discharge project?
Liberty County is considering a second discharge site for its wastewater project amid EPD violations and growth pressures. A hearing on the discharge is scheduled for July 13.
What is Georgia Conservancy's new strategic plan focused on?
Georgia Conservancy's plan emphasizes private lands conservation and identifies low-intensity development as a top threat, while offering an actionable path forward.
What documentary addresses tree loss in Atlanta?
A new documentary highlights Atlanta's alarming rate of tree loss and has drawn attention from lawmakers in Brookhaven and other metro areas.
What new state program aims to protect Georgia farmland?
A new state program has been launched to help save farmland amid rapid loss, supported through a WABE and Grist partnership.
What development proposals are under review in Macon-Bibb and Jasper counties?
Macon-Bibb P&Z is voting on a new 40+ acre commercial rezoning on Bass Road. Jasper County residents protested a data center development at a public hearing.
How are communities responding to proposed data centers and industrial growth?
Bipartisan opposition has emerged in areas like Jasper County, while advocacy groups push for proper permits and regulations on projects like those in Covington.
Habersham UDO; Liberty County discharge hearing; AOC hearing Meta AI water poisoning; Marietta data center; Bacon County solar farm; Effingham warehouse paused; Garden City pauses. Bill for data center pause introduced. National Wildlife Federation urges regulations. Atlanta water problem article. New 900-acre Darien development; 220-home Woodstock. Atlanta pauses self-storage permits. UGA Extension guide on solar water impacts. Liberty County wastewater discharge hearing July 13; Macon-Bibb Bass Road rezoning (40+ acres commercial). Documentary on Atlanta tree loss highlights urban conservation challenges. Advocacy groups allege Covington data center and power plant building without proper air permits – a concrete case of industry vs. community health. Georgia Conservancy's new strategic plan emphasizes private lands conservation and low-intensity development as top threat – offers hopeful, actionable path. Liberty County (Riceboro) water/wastewater crisis – EPD violations, GEFA loan gamble, growth pressures threatening subsistence way of life. Augusta sets public hearings to help shape new data center ordinance after freezing proposals. Albany requests citizen input on data centers (town hall July 7). Blue Ridge hotel debate (land use conflict). Country music performer proposes 38 homes near Grovetown – small development, cul-de-sac variance request.