Some residents are concerned about the possibility that a data center could be built on agricultural land in north Columbia.

“We've seen places like Memphis and Texas, places that are already suffering from high utility rates. Where there is not necessarily enough water for these facilities, if they are built, they just put extra strain on that,” Columbia resident James Gordon said during a city Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on Thursday.

The commission voted 5-2 to recommended a zoning change for the property, which is about 63 acres. It is northeast of U.S. 63 and Paris Road .

The next step would be for the proposal to go before the Columbia City Council for approval. City staff stressed that it's not a given that the land will ultimately be developed into a data center. If

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