Forest Grove denies appeal, advancing planned data center development

After several hours of public hearing, the Forest Grove City Council on Monday denied a resident’s appeal against a California company’s plan to build a data center near Neal Armstrong Middle School.

The city’s planning commission approved the plan submitted by Crane Data Centers last month. Dale Feik, a Forest Grove resident since 1966, hopes to stop the multi-million dollar development of two buildings that span more than 350,000 square feet.

Data Centers "are energy hogs," Feik told KATU before Monday’s public hearing. He said the amount of electricity the centers require will strain the state’s power supply and raise rates for locals.

The CEO of Crane Data Centers, Matt Pfile, stressed to city councilors that the facility will rely on clean energy and minimal water usage through air-cooling. Pfile also said the company plans to showcase local art in its facilities and plans to build a new road along the property near the intersection of Heather St. and Mountain View Ln.

"We really want to be a force for good, and we plan to operate here for decades," Pfile said.

Several residents voiced concerns about the height of the building, the noise it could create, and a general sense that such a large facility would disrupt the design of the neighborhood and city.

“They’re legitimate concerns. They are not to be dismissed by anybody," said Council President Timothy Rippe. Rippe and other councilors unanimously expressed that tonight’s vote was not about the overall impact of the project, but only about specific criteria of the city design code.

"We do have to abide by the codes that exist today… I cannot identify a criteria that is not met yet," Rippe said.

https://katu.com/news/local/forest-grove-considers-appeal-of-planned-data-center-development

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Author: KATU News
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News post in at: October 16, 2024, 3:03 am.

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