Tulsa County Commission approves zoning for data center

The Tulsa County Commission voted 3-0 Wednesday to approve a zoning application for a data center near the Cherokee Industrial Park. The project came to the Commission with a recommendation from the Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission. More than 100 people attended the meeting, filling an overflow room and spilling out into the lobby of the Tulsa County Headquarters building.

The developer has not publicly named the intended operator of the data center, but said it will be used for cloud computing and data storage.

Vote comes after previous delay

Commissioners previously tabled the rezoning at the request of citizens who wanted more information about the project before it was approved. Despite the earlier meetings, news coverage and signs posted around the property, several people who live near the site were upset they had no awareness of the possible development.

Speakers at the meeting from the area questioned representatives of the developer about lighting, security, and landscaping, and whether noise would be audible at their homes.

Most questions about water

The majority of the questions were about water use, water discharge, and whether it would impact nearby homeowners in Washington County Rural Water District #3. A representative of the RWD said it will supply the water for basic plumbing, but the industrial use will come directly from the City of Tulsa. A City representative said discharged water would be pre-treated on site, before discharge into the sanitary sewer for treatment and eventual discharge into Bird Creek.

Opponents questioned impact, doubted expert opinions

Several speakers said they didn't trust City and County regulatory officials who said the plans comply with all industrial standards, and would not harm the environment, employees or neighbors. They expressed concern that the center would be used to drive artificial intelligence, could emit harmful radiation, or cause cancer in people nearby.

Supporters include Chambers of Commerce, Union leaders

The Tulsa and Owasso Chambers of Commerce support the project, and trade union members spoke in support, noting hundreds of jobs will be created over the expected five years of construction.

County Commission Chair Lonnie Sims noted other data center developments are underway in Oklahoma, and some more would likely be planned for the Tulsa area.

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