On the agenda: Kingston Download — data center (Sep 14)

City of Kingston
30 West Main St., Kingston, GA 30145
COUNCIL MEETING – CITY HALL
September 14, 2026 – 7:00 p.m.
Councilmembers in Attendance: Mayor Michael McFarland, Mayor Pro Tem Payton Silvers,
Councilman Reggie Applin, Councilwoman Patresha Northgraves, Councilwoman Kate Posey.
Staff in Attendance: Kelly Ensley, City Clerk, Chief TJ Sosebee, Officer Mason Ferrel, Officer Vicari,
Patrick Singleton and Ricky Black, Maintenance, Branden Walls, and Charlie Pecchio, Finance
Committee
Attendees: Sixty-nine (69), 15 of those stood outside
The Regular Session Meeting for September 14, 2026, Mayor Michael McFarland called meeting
to order at 7:00 pm.
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance led by Payton Silvers
Presentation
-Mayor and council formally recognized the Kingston Women's History Club for preserving local
history and community service; a plaque was presented.
- The council also recognized Kingston Masonic Lodge No. 394, noting its long history (re-founded
1894) and community contributions; a plaque was presented.
- Recipients expressed appreciation and emphasized their ongoing, community-focused missions;
plaques and photos followed.
Sign in to Speak
- Several residents and speakers raised concerns after recent news about a proposed data center on local
property; many felt that notification and transparency were insufficient.
- Opening points explained location context and immediate local impacts: the site was described as
adjacent to Two Run Creek, about 1 mile from a mental health facility, and near local regenerative
farming operations.
- Key technical and environmental concerns were listed:
- Water demand: speakers cited 50,000 gallons/day inbound and 50,000 gallons/day outbound (presented
as 100,000 gallons/day total) flagged as a large local water draw.
- Utilities & infrastructure: questions about where electrical capacity will come from, rights-of-way, and
financial studies to ensure feasibility.
- Stormwater, drainage, noise, traffic, lighting, setbacks, buffering and road suitability for heavy truck
deliveries were requested to be analyzed.
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Individuals with disabilities who require certain accommodations in order to allow them to observe and/or participate in this meeting, or
who have questions regarding the accessibility of the meeting or facilities are required to contact the ADA Coordinator at 770-336-5905
promptly to allow the city to make reasonable accommodations for those persons.
*“USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.”

- Environmental & wildlife impacts: need for environmental impact study, wetlands/groundwater review,
habitat and endangered-species (bald eagle) assessments, and archaeological checks (including tribal
notification).
- Property, economic and social impacts: concerns about property value decline, effect on regenerative
farming, water pressure/quality for neighboring communities, and potential nondisclosure agreements
hiding impacts.
- Procedural concerns: speakers reported no zoning notices posted and requested property boundaries, a
site plan, and clarity on ownership/other planned facilities.
- Community requests and proposed actions:
- A public speaker proposed the council pause/tabled decisions for 120 days to gather more information
and studies (proposal raised but not recorded as a final vote during the meeting).
- Another speaker requested a moratorium of six months to a year to evaluate impacts and observe
outcomes in other nearby communities where data centers are being developed.
- Closing outlook: the council said it would take the testimony and information into consideration and
follow up as appropriate.
-Those that spoke were Jill Purvis, Garret Gore, Stoney Pitzer, Alan Ginn, and Katherine Potts.
Approval of Minutes
-Patresha Northgraves made a motion to approve July 27, 2026, work session and Council meeting
minutes for August 3, 2026. Payton Silvers seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
-Patresha Northgraves made a motion to approve meeting minutes for Public Hearings for August 13,
2026, and August 20, 2026; 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Kate Posey seconded the motion. Motion was
carried unanimously.
-Patresha Northgraves made a motion to approve meeting minutes for Special Called meeting for August
20, 2026; 7:00 p.m.
Agenda
-Payton Silvers made a motion to approve the agenda. Patresha Northgraves seconded the motion.
Motion carried unanimously.
DDA Report
- DDA event chair Madison Earle reported robust community engagement and solicited volunteers,
vendors, sponsors and participants.
- Upcoming events and dates highlighted:
- Trunk retreat & chili contest: October 17, 4:00–7:00 PM.
- Winter festival & Christmas parade: December 4, 5:00–8:00 PM (tree lighting at 7:30 PM).
- Kingston Farmers Market: weekly on Sundays from April 18 through October 16 (market hours 3:00–
7:00 PM).
- The DDA asked the community to join as volunteers, farmers, craft vendors and parade participants.

Assisted by Summary AI
Individuals with disabilities who require certain accommodations in order to allow them to observe and/or participate in this meeting, or
who have questions regarding the accessibility of the meeting or facilities are required to contact the ADA Coordinator at 770-336-5905
promptly to allow the city to make reasonable accommodations for those persons.
*“USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.”

Approval of Rezoning 51 West Main Street from R-1 to C-N
-Kate Posey made a motion to approve rezoning of 51 West Main Street from R-1 to C-N. Reggie
Applin seconded the motion. Motion was carried unanimously.
Second Read of Zoning Ordinance Amendment
-Patresha Northgraves made a motion to approve the Zoning Ordinance Amendment. Kate Posey
seconded the motion. Motion was carried unanimously. Kate Posey asked Mayor McFarland if the
attorney had approved the amendment change; he said yes.
Approve New Time Clock
-Payton Silvers made a motion to approve the new time clock. Reggie Applin seconded the motion.
Motion was carried unanimously.
Review and approve Downtown Improvement Quote
-Patresha Northgraves made a motion to approve the Downtown Improvement Quote. Kate Posey
seconded the quote. Motion was carried unanimously.
Mayor, Council Comments
-Mayor McFarland thanked everyone for coming and their comments and will take the comments under
consideration.
Adjournment
-Payton Silvers made a motion to adjourn meeting at 7:34 pm. Kate Posey seconded the
motion. Motion carried unanimously.

_____________________________

________________________

Michael McFarland, Mayor

Kelly L. Ensley, City Clerk

Assisted by Summary AI
Individuals with disabilities who require certain accommodations in order to allow them to observe and/or participate in this meeting, or
who have questions regarding the accessibility of the meeting or facilities are required to contact the ADA Coordinator at 770-336-5905
promptly to allow the city to make reasonable accommodations for those persons.
*“USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.”