The Bessemer Planning and Zoning Commission voted Tuesday to recommend a zoning text amendment and a rezoning request that would allow a hyperscale data center project to move forward on more than 670 acres off Rock Mountain Lake Road. The proposal, submitted by Logistics Land Investments, includes the development of a multi-building technology campus on land currently zoned for agricultural use.
During the meeting, the Commission first approved a zoning ordinance text amendment to add “data center” as a permitted use under the city’s I-1 Light Industrial zoning classification. This amendment brings the city’s zoning code in line with modern industrial uses, according to the applicant.
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Following that action, the Commission voted in favor of rezoning several parcels from A-1 Agricultural District to I-1 Light Industrial District. The applicant’s development plan includes up to 17 data center buildings but indicates that only 100 of the 670 acres would be disturbed. The remaining land would remain largely forested.
The applicant also presented an updated site plan reflecting increased building setbacks in response to prior community feedback. The revised plan outlines a 100-foot non-disturbance buffer along property lines, with some buildings placed 200 feet or more from the nearest residential properties.
Despite the changes, the proposal drew significant opposition from residents of the surrounding McCalla and Rock Mountain Lake communities. Concerns raised by a room full of citizens included the potential for increased noise, traffic, and water usage, as well as the environmental impact on local waterways and wildlife. Residents also expressed concerns about property values, potential long-term construction disruptions, and the proximity of the facility to homes and senior communities.
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Several speakers challenged the classification of the proposed development as light industrial, arguing that the scale and infrastructure demands of a hyperscale data center would more appropriately fall under heavy industrial zoning. Others asked the Commission to consider additional regulations or to create a separate zoning category specifically for data centers of this size.
The applicant responded by highlighting environmental assessments and engineering studies that had been completed, including stream and wetland delineations, endangered species reviews, and stormwater management plans. They also noted that the site’s proximity to major interstates and transmission infrastructure made it a suitable location for the project.
The Commission’s vote is a formal recommendation only. The final decision on both the zoning text amendment and the rezoning request will be made by the Bessemer City Council at a future meeting.
The council’s agenda will include the date for that vote once it is officially scheduled.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at sherri@yellowhammernews.com.
