Packed house, big questions over Auburndale data center proposal

The Auburndale City Commission workshop Tuesday night drew a crowd of roughly 500 residents, many more watching online, as questions swirled around a proposed data center that’s quickly become a flashpoint in the community. The Auburndale Technology Center, planned for two existing warehouse buildings along Pace Road, promises jobs and economic benefits, but concerns about water usage, electricity demands, and the project’s overall impact have ignited debate across Polk County. Hillwood Development Company, the Texas-based developer, aims to create a smaller-scale alternative to massive data centers, seeking to address concerns that have emerged around similar developments, but residents are demanding answers. Teresa Necaise Waggle from Lake Alfred raised concerns about the environmental impact of water usage, while Robert Morris highlighted worries about the potential strain on the electric grid in their new neighborhood.

The Auburndale Technology Center Proposal

The proposed Auburndale Technology Center involves converting two existing warehouse buildings into a data storage and computing facility. The project’s progression is complicated by its history: the property was annexed into Auburndale in December 2022, and in December 2023, city commissioners approved changes to the property’s land-use designation and rezoned it as an Industrial Planned Unit Development. Initially, the proposal included research and development buildings, e-commerce facilities, and other commercial structures; however, after a 3-2 vote by the Planning Commission recommending denial due to concerns about logistics, size, and traffic, the plan was revised to prohibit distribution in two buildings and allow for uses like research and development, light manufacturing, health technology, and information sciences. The city maintains that this 2023 zoning approval now allows for the data center’s use. City Manager Jeffrey Brown explained that the public had opportunities to comment during the 2023 approval process and asserted that another Commission vote is not required for the current proposal.

However, the project remains in the permitting process, and requires approvals from agencies outside the City Commission. The application for the interior retrofit of the two buildings was submitted on Nov. 4, signaling that hurdles remain before construction can begin. Tampa Bay 28 has been closely following the story, highlighting the concerns of residents and the complexities of the approval process.

Water and Electricity Concerns

Hillwood estimates that the facility will use approximately 4,665 gallons of water per day, utilizing a closed-loop cooling system to recirculate water. While this is lower than earlier estimates of up to 9,500 gallons per day for the originally planned warehouse development, and a maximum permitted amount of 42,975 gallons per day, water remains a significant concern for many residents. The Southwest Florida Water Management District requires modifications to an existing Water Use Permit before the data center can operate, a process that will require approval from the district’s Governing Board. Southwest Florida Water Management District has stated that an Environmental Resource Permit would not be required if the data center uses existing buildings and makes no other site changes.

Electricity is another major issue. Hillwood says the first phase of the project will require approximately 350 megawatts of electricity, and at full development, the facility could require as much as 700 megawatts. Tampa Electric Company is expected to supply the power, and the developer says it will pay all costs associated with generating and delivering electricity to the facility, consistent with relatively new protections in state law. Tampa Electric Company will provide the power for the facility.

Noise Concerns and Developer Response

Noise levels also drew scrutiny from attendees. Hillwood’s senior vice president, Charles Korrell, stated that noise at the property line would be “less than the truck distribution facility and at a level consistent with a quiet conversation.” This statement was met with laughter from the audience, underscoring the skepticism surrounding the project's promises. Korrell also highlighted the economic benefits, projecting approximately 300 permanent jobs and as many as 1,300 construction jobs, along with billions of dollars in economic and tax benefits over 15 years.

Community Reaction

The reaction from the community was mixed, with some residents expressing support for the economic benefits and potential as a better model than other data center proposals in the area. Tony Acosta, who lives just outside Auburndale, believes the project could bring significant economic benefits to the region. However, many residents remain concerned about the environmental and infrastructural impacts. The project’s ability to move forward without another City Commission vote has also sparked debate.

What Happened Legally

The project's progression is tied to a series of zoning and land-use decisions. The property was annexed into Auburndale in December 2022. In December 2023, commissioners approved a change to the property's future land-use designation and rezoned it as an Industrial Planned Unit Development. This rezoning followed an initial proposal that included research and development buildings, an e-commerce and logistics building, and other commercial buildings, which was met with concerns from the Planning Commission regarding logistics, building size, and traffic. The revised plan prohibited distribution as the primary use in two of the buildings while allowing for research and development, light manufacturing, health technology, and information sciences.

What’s Next

The Auburndale Technology Center project is currently in the permitting phase and must comply with regulations from agencies outside the City Commission. While the city says another Commission vote is not required, questions about water, electricity, noise, and the remaining permits will continue to shape the debate. Southwest Florida Water Management District will review and potentially modify the existing Water Use Permit. The permitting process continues, with additional work required by agencies outside the City Commission.

Contact Chad Mills:

Chad Mills calls Polk County home and focuses on sharing stories from his neighbors in Lakeland. To connect with Chad, use the contact form provided at the end of the article, or visit his page on Tampa Bay 28. Tampa Bay 28 also provides coverage of Polk County news and events.

Closing paragraph: The Auburndale Technology Center remains under review, and while the city maintains that another Commission vote is not required, the questions surrounding water use, electricity demands, noise levels, and the remaining permits will continue to shape the debate. The outcome of this project will have significant implications for Auburndale and Polk County, serving as a test case for balancing economic development with community concerns and environmental responsibility. For more information about the project, residents can visit the City of Auburndale.