A proposed Lakeland data center accomplished something few issues manage these days: It united Republicans, Democrats, environmentalists, engineers, retirees, and anti-growth activists.
More than 50 residents attended the June 1 City Commission meeting to oppose the project, despite weekend social media posts and a public statement by the city’s communications department explaining that the proposal was not on the agenda and is still undergoing an initial staff review.
Eighteen people spoke against the proposal during audience comments, often drawing applause from the crowd.
The turnout came four days after LkldNow broke the news that a developer had submitted a concept-plan application for Project Swan, a proposed 600,000-square-foot data center near Old Tampa Highway and Wilkinson Road.
The story generated hundreds of comments and shares on social media.
ALSO READ: Hyperscale data center proposed for Lakeland
Energy crisis, water crisis, public opinion crisis
The first speaker on Monday was Sam Romain, chairman of the Polk County Republican Party.
The second was Atheena Wilson, a member of the grassroots collective Defund Oligarchy, Blessed by Liberty.
The speakers who followed represented a similarly broad cross-section of the community. Concerns ranged from practical questions about infrastructure, water use, and electrical demand to artificial intelligence, surveillance, growth, and long-term impacts on the environment and the health of nearby residents.
“I just want you guys to notice how vast this group has been today,” resident Roxana Rivera said. “In today’s time, we’ve been so divided with so many things that are going on statewide and nationally. Look at the unity that Lakeland has brought upon to speak up against this data center.”
Another speaker, who identified himself only as Chad, said, “We’re heading into an energy crisis, a water crisis, and a public opinion crisis.”
Magdalene DuPree, also a member of Defund Oligarchy, suggested a new name for the proposal: “We should probably call it Project Kill the Swans.”
‘Ask the hard questions’
Several speakers urged commissioners to scrutinize the proposal closely if it advances.
Among them was Michael Schmidt, a former Polk County Planning Commission member and senior partner at HiTech Solutions Engineering Group.
“It is incumbent upon you to ask the hard questions,” Schmidt said.
Jennifer Hardeman, who became emotional at times during her remarks, challenged the city’s effort to clarify that the proposal was not on Monday’s agenda.
“I find it concerning that this commission posted a citywide public notice stating that the plans for the proposed data center are not on the agenda and will not be discussed during today’s meeting,” Hardeman said.
“Well, let me clear confusion that you may have. The data center is on our agenda and therefore will be discussed at all meetings.” She later added: “I would like to put all officials on notice. We expect elected officials to be our voice and to represent us.”
Commissioners respond
Several commissioners acknowledged that they had little information about the proposal when residents first began contacting them.
“We saw the same article in LkldNow that everyone else did about the data center,” said Mayor Sara Roberts McCarley. “At agenda study on Friday morning … we all asked one another because our emails, of course, started blowing up.”
Commissioner Ashley Troutman emphasized that no decision is pending and the city must follow established procedures.
“Process matters,” Troutman said. “No matter what the application that is before us, we have to follow process. But we’re going to hear your concerns through that process as well. … This is your City Hall, this is your dais, and we serve at your pleasure.”
Commissioner Mike Musick said local governments occasionally encounter new types of development before city codes fully catch up, citing tiny homes as one example.
Commissioner Stephanie Madden said commissioners share residents’ concerns about protecting critical resources.
“People who buy property do have a right to develop that property in the state of Florida,” Madden said. “But it’s up to us to ask the hard questions, especially when it comes to our critical resources.”
“So you are absolutely correct. We have to do our homework — and fast.”
What happens next
The proposal remains in the earliest stage of review.
City staff from multiple departments are scheduled to discuss the concept plan at a June 3 Development Review Team meeting and provide preliminary feedback to the applicant.
The June 3 “closed-door meeting” is not a hearing. No elected officials will participate, and no votes will be counted or decisions made. The review is meant to identify potential roadblocks and requirements to move forward.
Major questions remain unanswered, including the facility’s water and power demands, traffic impacts, and noise levels. City staff have also said Lakeland’s land development code does not specifically address data centers, raising questions about whether the use is currently permitted.
If the proposal advances, it would still face many more staff reviews and public hearings before any final decisions could be made. Commissioners would have to vote on annexation and zoning changes.
Watch the meeting
Cindy Glover is a reporter for LkldNow, a nonprofit newsroom providing independent local news for Lakeland. Read at LkldNow.com.
