As Amazon Web Services continues site preparation work for its data center project at 61 Avenue and Colorado Street in Hobart, company officials have begun holding Zoom calls that members of the public can attend virtually.
Dan Della Maggiara, who identified himself on the call as the data center’s “construction manager,” provided a briefing on ongoing site preparation work on Thursday’s call, describing the steps Amazon is taking to minimize impact on Hobart residents, particularly those residing in the Eagle Creek subdivision along 61st . He detailed efforts to minimize flying dust caused by mass grading of the 723-acre site, such was regular wetting of the ground and monitoring air quality.
Having attended the Zoom call, Eagle Creek resident Angelina Soriano, who is among residents petitioning Lake Superior Court over procedural matters involving Hobart’s plat and zoning approval process, said Amazon’s assertion that it is monitoring air quality is insufficient.
“I would like 24/7 air monitoring place on a public dashboard,” Soriano said. “That would ease my mind.”
She added, “I would love to see Amazon take the initiative and take their climate pledge to the next level and provide that type of (24/7) monitoring.”
Soriano said she was “encouraged” that Amazon announced on the call that it would place earthen berms around the entire parcel, not just along the 61 st and Colorado sides, in addition to trees, flowers and plants to further shield the development.
Amazon officials said some 1,400-1,500 trees would be planted, and that the seeding “native” plants now would bloom in the spring. They also detailed plans for more ambient lighting, road paving to accommodate increased construction traffic and shuttles to bring in work crews and thereby cut down on vehicles going in and out of the site.
“Other than adding to the berm, what I was hearing was nothing new,” Soriano said.
She said she was looking forward to the Hobart Plan Commission meeting in November where the board is expected to take up a petition to add 11 more buildings at the site to bring the number up to 20 buildings.
“It does seem like they’re listening, but I haven’t seen the new site plan yet,” Soriano said. “I do appreciate them taking those extra measure because this summer I dealt with my house, my car and my daughter’s playground being completely filthy. I do hope they continue to make changes as things arise.”
Soriano and Hobart residents Joe Conn and Barbara Koteles filed a complaint against the Hobart Plan Commission and the Hobart Common Council seeking a preliminary injunction to nullify the fill permit that allows mass grading on the property. Their hearing was delayed last month but the matter went before Lake Superior Court Judge Bruce Parent on Monday afternoon.
Earlier this year, the Hobart Plan Commission voted to treat the project’s site plan application as an application for a fill permit, the court filing states. The plaintiffs are challenging the fill permit solely on legal grounds, contending that the Plan Commission had no power to authorize it because it failed to provide all of the information required for such an application, nor did it produce the required findings of fact required for issuance of the permit. In response, the City of Hobart has petitioned to dismiss the case.
Jim Masters is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.