Birmingham Zoning Board Recommends Data Center Substation

0:00It's March 27, I'm Cory with the story, and this is Birmingham News today, your AI-powered local news. Birmingham's zoning board of adjustment voted on Thursday to recommend approval for Nebius to build a substation powering their planned data center in, the Oxmore Valley area. The decision includes some conditions and now heads to the Full City Council for final say. The board made the call despite heavy pushback from locals during a public hearing at City Hall. Those worry about the projects effects on the community. The Greater Birmingham Humane Society led much of the opposition, saying the substation could disrupt their upcoming animal hospital nearby with noise. And vibrations that stress the animals and hurt their recovery. Nebius representatives stress their commitment to doing things right and benefiting the area with an AI data center. They also shared fresh details with the Humane Society, though that group hasn't reviewed them yet. In a related move, the board turned down Alabama Powers' bid for a switching station to

1:00link the data center to the grid. Expect more talks ahead as the council weighs in on this growing tech push in Birmingham.