Looking east along the Mousam River in south Sanford where a massive data center and technology campus is proposed. Estes Lake and the former Robbins Lumber mill are on the right in the distance.
Photo: Don Jamison
By Lee Burnett
Land conservationists and trail developers made respectful, though non-committal, comments following a meeting last week with the lead developer of a massive data center and technology campus in south Sanford.
Members of the Sanford Trails Committee, Mousam Way Land Trust and Maine Coast Heritage Trust met by Zoom to hear about plans to develop the largest block of unbroken woods in southern Maine. The proposed development would be centered around a 300-megawatt data center and 300-megawatt fuel-cell power plant, although developer Randy Gibbs is pledging to build trails and a boat launch on wooded parts of the property.
The land Gibbs is proposing to build on totals about 1,400 acres, which includes more than 1,000 acres that his family owns, as well as additional abutting lands. The property holds high value for wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation and water quality, although about a third of the acreage is zoned for industrial uses. The property already hosts a lone snowmobile trail but is crossed by power lines and a water main that have been eyed as potential trail corridors by the Sanford Trails Committee. Some 500+ acres are zoned for industrial use.
Gibbs said there will be plenty of room for hiking, biking and paddling on the Mousam River since, by his estimate, only 50-60 percent of the acreage is potentially developable. His slide show specifically mentioned developing a trail system connecting to other trails in the area and a boat ramp for use by the community. The plans are conceptual.
The Mousam Way Land Trust has a keen interest in the land because of its size and because it owns land immediately upriver from the site. Board President Al Pollard said he attended the meeting because “I just wanted to know what’s going on and the potential benefits and risks to the environment, and the land trust, and land conservation.” He said some of his questions were answered, but he plans to follow up by writing a letter. Pollard said he understands the project’s benefits to the tax base and job growth but said, “I’m not clear what he wants to do, as far as conserving land… and what he envisions as the role of the land trust.” Pollard said he assumes Gibbs is seeking organizational support, but said he felt no pressure to provide it.
The Sanford Trails Committee has ambitions to someday develop a trail across the property and connecting to the Eastern Trail in Kennebunk or Wells. Committee Chair Sam Paradee said he attended the meeting given the property’s strategic importance for trails and river access but otherwise declined to comment. “It was important for the proposal and background information to be listened to,” he said.
Maine Coast Heritage Trust, which has recently prioritized land conservation in the Mousam River watershed, declined to comment on the meeting.
Following the meeting, Gibbs said he appreciated hearing comments about good information and was grateful for the opportunity, but also said the Zoom format made it “hard for me to get a read” on the audience.
“I guess it was beneficial to all of us involved,” he said. “I didn’t hear any harsh criticism.”
The post Data Center Developer Makes Pitch to Local Groups appeared first on Sanford Springvale News.
