LEESBURG, Ga. (WALB) — The Leesburg City Council voted to table a proposed draft ordinance for light industrial uses in the city, postponing a decision on rules that would govern future data centers.

The city says no data center is currently planned. There is no application, developer or available parcel in the city’s industrial area for one. Mayor David Daughtry said he and the council want time to research before making a decision.

“I am human, so therefore I can make a bad decision. But I don’t want to make an uneducated mistake when making a decision. And that’s what I meant by that. That’s why I want to be educated on everything,” Daughtry said.

Public hearing draws concerns

At a public hearing, community members spoke out about the ordinance and data centers in general. Daughtry said he shares some of the same concerns, particularly about noise, water and energy, but said he also has to weigh what investment from an industrial firm could mean for the city.

“It’s our job as a board to look for future investments into our community. But with that being said, we have to control it because everyone up here loves the safety that we live in,” Daughtry said.

Community members raised concerns about water and other issues.

“I’m on a well. A lot of people here are on wells, probably. We don’t want to see our well warden dirty,” one community member said.

“No tax incentives,” another said.

“There’s nothing good about them. Like, give me one good reason. Like, nothing. Nothing. They’re just evil,” another said.

Some residents called for the city to go further than the current draft ordinance.

“My greatest hope is that the council will consider banning data centers within the city limits,” one community member said.

“We don’t need, ever, to have a data center. No one needs a mega data center in their city, ever,” another said.

“I hope that maybe the zoning text amendment would be worded that a data center would never come here,” another said.

Mayor cites legal concerns

Daughtry responded to calls for an outright ban.

“I don’t want to get the city sued. I have to trust the lawyers and the attorneys and the judges with the city’s future. Because if the city were to get sued, it could bankrupt us. And we don’t want that. I don’t want my citizens to go through that. So I would rather know 100% in writing, this is what you can do,” Daughtry said.

Daughtry said he hopes residents understand the process and give the city time to act.

“We’re not trying to hide anything from them. We’re not doing anything underhanded. We don’t have a data center application. We don’t have land to put a data center on. We’re just trying to have quality control growth to move Leesburg forward,” Daughtry said.

The city council has postponed its vote on the draft ordinance for 180 days. Over the next six months, leaders said they plan to conduct research and hold public meetings to determine if the draft needs revisions. Once an ordinance is adopted, the city’s current moratorium will officially end.

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