Identifying the Real Issue

By Andy Kober

In just the last few weeks an increasing number of proposed data center locations have been reported throughout an expanding area relatively close to the coverage area of this newspaper.
It might well be that companies desiring to construct data centers could be leaking potential location rumors just to identify those areas less antagonistic to the idea. Opposition to data centers spreads rapidly – most often on social media – which is quite humorous as the increasing use of social media is one of the issues driving the need for more data centers.
Just recently a social media post highlighting the potential negative impacts of data centers made the rounds on social media – yet again. Included among those negative impacts were increased electrical use and infrastructure, increased water use and infrastructure, increased property values and taxation, noise and traffic, environmental concerns, and negative impact on wildlife. Those issues, and more, are legitimate concerns and have repeatedly been raised concerning development of … subdivisions.
NOT far from where I live, attempts are being made to rezone land that has been zoned agricultural, to residential for development of yet another subdivision – another subdivision that will bring some of the same issues as data centers.
Information on the proposed development indicates less than 200 homes will be built and whatever the final number, these homes will result in increased electrical usage, and increased water usage.
Over the last year, improvements were made to electrical service infrastructure in that area, and over the last two weeks new utility poles were being installed along the property’s road frontage. Coincidence?
The property is located along a narrow, curvy, county road with a 45 miles per hour speed limit. Assuming 160 houses, which is likely low, will result in at least an additional 320 cars. That’s just for two adults; add a teenager or two per household and the number of vehicles could easily surpass 500 on an almost daily basis – using a county road that has very limited sight distances. Anyone who believes that teenagers will obey that 45 mph speed limit will likely believe that most of the adults will as well. With some of those drivers will come abrasively loud exhaust and sound systems in their cars. Sadly, law enforcement patrols along that road will be minimal because of the limited number of deputies available.
Subdivisions also cause environmental concerns from stormwater runoff into creeks and streams, widespread cutting of trees and clearing of flora and fauna, along with causing widespread negative impacts to wildlife.
And, of course, subdivisions drive up property values not only inside the development, but neighboring properties as well, and increased value results in increased taxation.
The very complaints about the potential negative impacts of data centers, can and do apply to subdivisions as well.
Data centers or subdivisions; as a smart person once said, “Pick your poison.”
IN the final analysis, the issue is about land and money.
With some exceptions, previous generations farmed the land or raised livestock on it. Nearly every day from dawn to dusk, they worked the land. It was hard, brutal, and sometimes unrewarding work as multiple generations of families were raised on the land. It was a life that required tremendous courage and significant sacrifice.
Those generations are gone now as are their stories. Over the ensuing generations, the land that was once so important to their lives, was left to their heirs and then possibly sold outside the family. Life has changed and the land that once meant so much is no longer important. In fact, it has become a financial liability at tax time.
Then along comes developers, like a plague of locusts, offering fast cash for that land that is now overgrown with trees and undergrowth.
The rest of that story we are seeing much too often.
That’s my opinion.
Andy Kober can be reached by email at andykober@hotmail.com