Data centers

Urged the board to ban or immediately place a moratorium on hyperscale data centers until independent, third-party environmental and water studies are completed.

Said the community never voted for the twelve flock cameras and wants safeguards against misuse; also said the community says no to data centers.

Thanked the board for Horseshoe Point Road drainage work and urged research before any data center moratorium vote, budget prep for homestead exemption changes, and keeping the Brightline station out of downtown Stuart.

Presented data on Martin County's projected water demand, warning that a hyperscale data center could consume 31% of the projected 10-year increase, and urged a moratorium.

Raised environmental, noise, and surveillance concerns about AI data centers and federal power centralization.

Warned of AI-driven job displacement and economic upheaval, saying the county shouldn't become someone else's experiment.

The former Juno Beach mayor urged protection of agricultural land and said data centers are unneeded excess capacity.

Supported data centers with appropriate controls, saying Martin County has sufficient land and water resources.

Warned about water contamination from data center cooling systems, blowdown water and PFAS chemicals.

Urged prohibition of data centers, arguing Martin County is not an industrial sacrifice zone and quality of life shouldn't be for sale.

Asked that the burden fall on developers to prove data centers won't harm air quality, water, noise levels and public health.

Supported a ban on hyperscale data centers, citing water, energy, farmland loss, noise, and Fourth Amendment surveillance concerns.

Questioned whether data centers have any real upside at all, comparing them to obsolescent large computers and citing electric bills and water pressure.

In closing comment, reflected on data center opposition and public trust lost since COVID.