Protect the Collective - Marrietta

HAPPENING NOW

🏢 DATA CENTER — POWERS FERRY PLACE

STATUS: 🔴 APPROVED — CONTINUED PUBLIC OVERSIGHT

Case: Z2026-12
Location: Prime Storage, 1155 Powers Ferry Place, Marietta, GA 30067. The application concerns converting part of the existing storage property into a data-infrastructure facility.

WHAT HAPPENED?

July 1 — Planning Commission

The Planning Commission recommended approval 4–3.

July 8 — City Council

A large opposition turnout occurred at Marietta City Hall, including protesters outside and a standing-room-only crowd inside. Council voted 7–0 to table the application, delaying the final decision until August.

August 12 — City Council

Council ultimately approved Z2026-12 5–2, with numerous conditions attached to the project. These included restrictions concerning municipal water for cooling, sound monitoring, an independent acoustic study, generator/emissions requirements and a heat-island study.

COUNSEL MEMBERS VOTING YES

*COPY/PASTE EMAIL FOR COUNSEL MEMBERS*

Dear Council Member,

I am writing to ask you to take every lawful action available to prevent the proposed data center at 1155 Powers Ferry Place (Z2026-12) from moving forward.

I understand that City Council approved the rezoning on August 12 by a 5–2 vote. That vote does not erase the significant public opposition or the concerns residents have raised regarding energy demand, noise, generator emissions, heat, infrastructure, environmental impacts, and long-term effects on surrounding communities.

Marietta has already recognized the need for greater scrutiny of data-center development by adopting a moratorium on new applications through the end of 2026.

I am asking you to publicly identify and pursue any lawful remaining avenues available to stop this project from reaching construction or operation, including reconsideration where legally available and appropriate, rigorous review of subsequent permits, utility agreements, infrastructure approvals, environmental requirements, and compliance with every condition attached to Z2026-12.

I also ask the City to make all subsequent contracts, studies, permits, utility commitments, compliance documents, and major decisions concerning this facility readily accessible to the public.

Please provide residents with a clear answer:

What lawful options remain for the City to prevent the 1155 Powers Ferry Place data center from proceeding, and which of those actions are you personally willing to support?

I am asking you to reconsider your support for this project and stand with residents calling for it to be stopped.

Thank you for your time and public service.

Sincerely,

[NAME]

[WARD / NEIGHBORHOOD]

[EMAIL — OPTIONAL]

⚡ WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW?

The issue has moved beyond the original zoning decision into implementation and oversight.

On September 3, the Marietta Board of Lights and Water agenda included consideration of a large-load electric-service contract for 1155 Powers Ferry Place. The agenda also included a data-center moratorium item.

CURRENT WATCH ITEMS

⚡ Electricity / large-load agreements

🔊 Independent acoustic study

🌡️ Heat-island study

💨 Generator/emissions requirements

💧 Cooling/water compliance

📋 Compliance with City stipulations

🏗️ Permits/construction milestones

🏛️ Data-center moratorium & future applications

TAKE ACTION

🟠 NORTH AVENUE / LEWIS PARK REZONING

CASE: Z2026-22
LOCATION: 673 North Avenue, Marietta, GA
STATUS: PENDING — PUBLIC ACTION CAN STILL INFLUENCE THE DECISION

WHAT'S HAPPENING?

A rezoning request involving 16 parcels near Lewis Park seeks to change the properties from R-2 residential zoning to CRC (Community Retail Commercial).

Some neighborhood residents are organizing against the rezoning and are asking Marietta officials to maintain the existing residential zoning. Residents have raised concerns about increased development intensity, traffic, pedestrian safety, and impacts on the surrounding neighborhood.

This proposal has not received final approval.

📅 UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARINGS

PLANNING COMMISSION

October 6, 2026 · 6:00 PM

📍 Marietta City Hall
205 Lawrence Street
Marietta, GA 30060

CITY COUNCIL

October 14, 2026 · 7:00 PM

📍 Marietta City Hall
205 Lawrence Street
Marietta, GA 30060

Public participation before these decisions can matter.

🗣️ COMMUNITY RESPONSE

Neighborhood residents have already organized a petition asking the Planning Commission and City Council to deny Z2026-22 and retain the existing residential zoning.

The petition has been acknowledged by Marietta Planning & Zoning, and residents were informed that the signed petition would be included in the zoning case file.

✋ HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE

1. LEARN
Review the zoning proposal and understand what changing the property from residential to commercial zoning would allow.

2. ATTEND
Attend the October 6 Planning Commission hearing and October 14 City Council hearing.

3. SPEAK
Residents can participate in the public process and communicate their position to local decision-makers.

4. CONTACT
Contact Marietta officials before the hearings and respectfully explain whether you support or oppose Z2026-22 and why.

5. FOLLOW THE CASE
Watch for staff recommendations, changes to the application, meeting agendas, postponements, and the eventual vote.

🔎 VERIFY & LEARN MORE

Marietta Upcoming Zoning Hearings:
https://www.mariettaga.gov/1439/Upcoming-Hearings

Community Petition — Protect Our Historic Marietta Neighborhood From Rezoning:
https://www.change.org/p/protect-our-historic-marietta-neighborhood-from-rezoning

PROTECT THE COLLECTIVE PRINCIPLE

Know what's happening. Read the evidence. Hear your neighbors. Contact decision-makers. Show up before the decision is made.

🟠 WEST OAK DRIVE REZONING

CASE: Z2026-21
LOCATION: 1516 West Oak Drive, Marietta, GA 30062
STATUS: PENDING — CITY COUNCIL VOTE SEPTEMBER 9

WHAT'S HAPPENING?

A property at 1516 West Oak Drive is requesting rezoning from R-2 residential to CRC (Community Retail Commercial).

The Marietta Planning Commission did not recommend the requested CRC commercial zoning as submitted. Instead, it recommended amended approval under OI (Office Institutional) zoning.

That distinction matters because the zoning classification determines what kinds and intensity of future uses can occur on the property.

The final decision has not been made.

⚠️ WHY THIS DESERVES PUBLIC ATTENTION

Rezoning can permanently change what a property may be used for long after the current owner or business leaves.

Before approving a broader commercial designation, residents should be able to understand:

• What development or business use is actually being proposed
• Why CRC commercial zoning was requested
• Why the Planning Commission recommended OI instead
• What additional uses CRC would permit in the future
• How surrounding residential properties could be affected
• Whether a more limited zoning classification can accomplish the applicant's legitimate needs

This is an opportunity for residents to participate before the final decision is made.

📅 FINAL CITY COUNCIL HEARING

SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 · 7:00 PM

📍 Marietta City Hall
205 Lawrence Street
Marietta, GA 30060

CITY COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO CONSIDER Z2026-21 AT THIS MEETING.

✋ HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE

1. READ THE APPLICATION

Understand exactly what the applicant is requesting and what uses the requested zoning could permit.

2. REVIEW THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

The Planning Commission recommended OI rather than the requested CRC designation. Residents should understand why before the City Council makes its decision.

3. CONTACT CITY COUNCIL

Ask council members to explain whether they support CRC, OI, denial, or another alternative—and why.

4. ATTEND THE SEPTEMBER 9 HEARING

Residents can attend the City Council meeting and participate in the public process before the final decision.

5. WATCH THE VOTE

Protect the Collective will track the final decision and how elected officials vote.

🔎 VERIFY THE INFORMATION

The City of Marietta lists Z2026-21 as a pending rezoning scheduled for the September 9, 2026 City Council meeting.

VIEW OFFICIAL CITY RECORDS:
Marietta Planning & Zoning → Upcoming Hearings

PROTECT THE COLLECTIVE PRINCIPLE

Public participation should happen before decisions become permanent.

Learn what is being proposed.
Read the record.
Ask questions.
Hear your neighbors.
Show up.
Then decide where you stand.