The Bessemer City Council voted 5-2 to approve a zoning request that will allow for one of the nation's biggest data centers to be built there.

The proposal has received widespread opposition from residents and environmentalists concerned about the environmental impact, while supporters, including the City itself, are touting the economic impact.

The zoning request rezones over 700 acres of forested land from agricultural to light industrial use. The developer says only 100 acres of that will be used for the project.

The City previously amended its definition of light industrial to allow for the data center to qualify for the new designation.

The current plan has raised concerns about its impact on the future plans for the Northern Beltline.

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