Following a substantial public outcry against a proposed data center, a Hamilton planning tribunal rejected a developer’s request to divide a parcel of land under consideration for the facility.
Tribunal member Robert Reid expressed surprise at the level of opposition, calling it an uncommon public response during the meeting at city hall.
The developer’s next steps remain uncertain, as it contemplates appealing the decision or pursuing the proposal without the land division.
Before a contentious planning meeting, protesters gathered in Hamilton’s city council chambers, voicing disapproval with chants against artificial intelligence (AI) as the tribunal deliberated on the land severance application.
Throughout the lengthy council session, community members expressed their views to the local planning tribunal on whether Slate Asset Management could split its approximately 324-hectare property.
In its application, Slate mentioned the potential use of the smaller lot for “hyperscale and enterprise data centers.”
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What you need to know about the proposed AI data centre in Hamilton
The prospect of a data center development triggered significant opposition from the community, with city officials receiving a record number of comments, totaling 1,688, regarding the land-severance application.
Concerns Over Noise, Pollution, and Water Usage
Before the meeting, Nick Tsergas, an organizer from the local community against the data center, emphasized the importance of public input in decision-making.
He and others expressed concerns about potential noise, pollution, and water usage impacts associated with the proposed development.
“Hamilton residents appear to be acutely aware of these issues,” he stated.
Hundreds of people gathered outside Hamilton city hall on Thursday before and during a city meeting where committee members were set to make a decision on whether a development company could split a lot it owns into two parts. (Justin Chandler/CBC)
The proliferation of AI in North America has led to an increased demand for physical infrastructure to support data storage and processing. Canada <a class="link-_o8iA html-anchor