A crowd of around 30 opponents of a data centre development on East Wellington Rd. temporarily hijacked the Monday, Oct. 24 Nanaimo City Council meeting. (City of Nanaimo)

By Alex Rawnsley

shouting match

‘Shame!:’ Nanaimo council meeting paused after proposed East Wellington data centre ruckus

Oct 25, 2022 | 2:13 PM

NANAIMO — A relatively routine zoning change from City Council devolved into open shouting and cries of “shame” from some in the gallery.

Councillors gave third reading to a bylaw which would see zoning of a property at 2086-2090 East Wellington Rd., modified to fit a proposed data centre, a large facility used for the storage and operation of computers and other devices.

The zoning change from rural resource to high tech industrial drew around 30 opponents to the Monday, Oct. 24 meeting, many of who openly voiced concerns mainly around environmental impacts and noise, both of which were addressed by councillors.

“I live a couple of blocks from the mill on Haliburton St., I get (concerns about noise),” coun. Erin Hemmens said. “I heard from the proponent that they’re going to work at every stage to make sure that the decibel readings are below what’s required and I found that appealing.”

The lone voice against the development was coun. Ben Geselbracht who didn’t share resident concerns over viable agricultural land being lost, but saw environmental issues elsewhere.

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“I don’t think there’s been enough information presented on the water usage and I don’t think I can make a decision on this particular rezoning and this permitted use for a data centre. What’s the impact on our water? Especially the droughts we’re experiencing.”

Water is used as a primary cooling method for the machines inside.

A concept plan for the data centre on East Wellington Rd., including connections to Northfield Rd. and established setbacks from water areas. (City of Nanaimo)

Monday’s meeting took a turn before the item even came up on the agenda.

City director of legislative services Sheila Gurrie interjected early in the meeting to tell those in attendance they would not be able to use question period at the end to speak about the development.

She cited a long-standing rule which prohibits discussion after the public hearing stage.

“Council can not have any further information or hear any further information on (this agenda item). So therefore, the question period does not apply to (that item) on the agenda.”

Her comments drew the first of many jeers from the crowd.

“Excuse me, we were not actually allowed to ask questions at that public hearing, so that’s (inaudible),” one person said.

Another followed immediately with “Nor was it made public.”

Public hearings are specifically designed and run to accept feedback, both written and in person. A hearing on the East Wellington development was held at the end of September where several supporters and opponents spoke to the issue.

Notices about public hearings are posted on the City’s website and in local media publications.

Support for the project was near unanimous around the Council table, even if some weren’t thrilled about a data centre going at the site.

Hemmens openly stated she didn’t want a data centre there, but the project type fit with their plans for the area and Council’s job was to approve developments which align with the City’s goals.

Coun. Don Bonner, in his final meeting as a Nanaimo city councillor, said developers look at the city as a stable environment.

“For us to not approve this would basically be going against our Official Community Plan. To me, we have to show the development community that if they choose to follow our rules, then it’s favourable they’ll get (their project).”

He said declining this development, industrial use on land which is designated for industrial purposes under the City Plan, would serve only to harm a solid reputation.

The approximate lot where a data centre would reside, provided it meets requirements through both development and building permits. (Google Maps)

Prior to a vote, Mayor Leonard Krog concurred with Bonner, setting the stage for a verbal back and forth with the gallery.

“When people invest in our community and provide either opportunities for employment, or accommodation by way of housing, they have not a right…but a reasonable expectation…” Krog said before being interrupted by the crowd yelling.

“Please, I’m sorry,” Krog continued over the top. “If you want to sit on this side of the Chamber you’re welcome to do so, we had an election. This is still the Council of the day…I’m sorry, we are not going back to the pre-2018 regime. People who invest are entitled to have reasonable expectations met around appropriate land use. This happens to fall within that.”

Third reading passed by an 8-1 vote, with only Geselbracht opposed.

Yelling continued as opponents began to file out, unable to sway Council’s mind and unable to comment during question period at the end of the meeting.

“What about the environment? You don’t care about the Island, you’re killing all the wildlife. Was there an environmental assessment study done? No. Where are the environmental assessments?” a variety of people shouted from the gallery.

“Why are you allowing the Chinese to snoop on us?” one woman yelled.

One of the final audible comments from Monday’s meeting was simply “live well in hell” as councillors paused their meeting and awaited the crowd to leave before continuing.

The zoning amendment will come up for final adoption at a future Council meeting.

Development and building permits are still required for the project to proceed.

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