Residents Oppose Proposed AI Data Center Near Wellington

Developer plans to reduce size, but community still rejects project citing concerns over noise, water, and property values

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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More than 400 residents of Palm Beach County's western communities gathered at a town hall meeting to voice their opposition to a proposed 200-acre AI data center complex, dubbed Project Tango, near the Arden community in Loxahatchee. The developer, WPB Logistics LLC, said it plans to reduce the size of the project from 1.8 million square feet to 1 million square feet, but the community still rejected the proposal, citing concerns over noise, water supplies, electricity use, and the impact on property values.

Why it matters

The proposed AI data center has become a contentious issue in the local community, with residents strongly opposing the project despite the developer's plans to scale it down. This highlights the growing tensions between technological development and community concerns, especially around the potential environmental and economic impacts of large-scale data centers.

The details

The AI data center would be designed to support Artificial Intelligence workloads on a hyperscale, using thousands of servers and specialized hardware with advanced cooling systems. The developer, WPB Logistics LLC, is working with affiliates of The Hartford insurance companies to build what would be the first data center in an unincorporated area of Palm Beach County, following two smaller projects in West Palm Beach. The county had previously approved the site for warehouses and a smaller data center, but the current proposal is for a much larger facility.

  • The town hall meeting was held on February 25, 2026.
  • The county commission is scheduled to vote on the proposed expansion of Project Tango in April 2026.

The players

WPB Logistics LLC

An Atlanta-based property owner working with affiliates of The Hartford insurance companies to develop the proposed AI data center.

Ernie Cox

The manager of Project Tango, who announced the plans to reduce the size of the proposed data center.

Sarah Baxter

The Palm Beach County mayor, who expressed opposition to the Project Tango proposal but said the county commissioners cannot stop the project that was originally approved in 2016.

Ron DeSantis

The Florida governor, who has proposed legislation to regulate AI data centers, including banning them within 5 miles of a school or residential area and preventing water and energy expenses from being passed on to residents.

West Acreage Elementary School

A school located near the proposed AI data center site, which raised concerns from residents about the potential impact of the project.

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What they’re saying

“A hyper-scale data-processing center was not part of the conversation.”

— An Arden resident

“How can it be that this project was approved in 2016 when AI wasn't even part of the question?”

— An Arden resident

“I opposed Project Tango, but county commissioners cannot stop the project that was originally approved in 2016.”

— Sarah Baxter, Palm Beach County Mayor

What’s next

The county commission is scheduled to vote on the proposed expansion of Project Tango in April 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing tensions between technological development and community concerns, as residents strongly oppose the proposed AI data center despite the developer's plans to reduce its size. It raises questions about the approval process for large-scale projects and the need for greater community input and environmental considerations.