Hamilton denies land severance application for proposed AI data centre

The land severance application for a proposed but controversial AI data centre has been denied at Hamilton City Hall.

Spectators in council chambers cheered the denial. If it had been approved, the vote would have set the stage for an AI development project on former Stelco lands — something the hundreds of people who gathered in front of council chambers today to protest deeply opposed.

Developer Slate Asset Management wanted to sever the land it owns on Wilcox Street in order to take a step forward in the development of the facility.

The company says the facility would take up a portion of the 800-acre former Stelco property, with the rest pitched as an “advanced manufacturing” and “clean energy infrastructure” site called “Steelport.”

More than 1,600 people wrote to the committee ahead of the meeting, and dozens more delegated in person — almost entirely against the project.

Protesters gathered outside city hall before the committee meeting, holding anti-data centre signs and chanting loudly enough to be heard inside the chambers. Members of the public packed much of the gallery inside as well.

Concerns about the proposal have been raised by environmental advocates and local residents, particularly regarding the potential impact future large-scale data centres could have on electricity demand and water use.

“We want to say no to AI data centres. They’re going to affect our energy, they’re going to affect our waters. We’re already dealing with water issues down at the bayfront,” said a protester.

“It’s going to waste so much of our resources, our energy, and provide nothing back to this community,” said another protester.

WATCH MORE: Toronto company eyes building AI data centre on Hamilton’s shores

Environment Hamilton executive director Ian Borsuk previously told CHCH News that a smaller initial data centre has been discussed, but that there is interest in eventually expanding the development.

Ward 3 Coun. Nrinder Nann has also said questions remain about the scope and scale of any future projects on the site, including their potential environmental impacts.

Slate did not make a spokesperson available for an interview today. However, the company said in a statement that it will utilize the factory’s existing industrial power grid and water system so that “any new development at Steelport will have minimal impacts on public infrastructure. To the extent water is required for any onsite uses, it would be a fraction of what Stelco consumed during its peak operations, and critically, no municipal water will be used for onsite systems.”

But many concerns from neighbours remain.

“I’m not opposed to industry or development, but do we need that kind of development again? I think what you’re hearing from the community is that we don’t. We need something instead that isn’t this sort of Faustian bargain where yes, you get a few jobs, but you get worse water quality, worse air quality, you get a heat island created in a city, you get noise pollution,” said Hamilton resident Kevin MacKay.

There are more paths forward for the company to build an AI data centre, as Thursday’s vote only looked at the severance request.

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