News | Port St. Lucie

Sentinel Grove Technology Park Data Center Proposal Faces Scrutiny in St. Lucie County

October 18, 2025
8:42 am

The Sentinel Grove Technology Park Data Center proposal, a major development plan west of Port St. Lucie, has drawn significant attention and debate in St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners. The project, discussed during the St. Lucie County Planning & Zoning Commission meeting on October 16, 2025, centers on building a hyperscale data center campus on rural land near Orange Avenue and Minnetonka Road. This proposal follows a series of recent high-profile land use debates in the county, such as the rejection of a housing plan in favor of commercial development that highlighted community preferences for future growth.

Sentinel Grove Technology Park Data Center: Project Overview

The Sentinel Grove Technology Park Data Center is designed to become a massive technology hub. According to the applicant’s presentation, the campus would span 1,218 acres and include up to 15 million square feet of building space, with structures reaching a maximum height of 80 feet. The project is planned in three phases over approximately 20 years, with Phase 1 involving up to 5 million square feet and employing 300–400 people in 24-hour operations.

The estimated investment for the data center is $13.2 billion. During construction, the applicant projects up to 6,000 jobs statewide, though the exact number of on-site positions remains unclear. The facility would process, store, and distribute large amounts of data, supporting cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and social media platforms. Continuous cooling systems and significant electrical infrastructure, including 500 kV transmission lines, would be required, along with backup generators and battery storage systems.

Major Concerns Raised About the Data Center

During the public meeting, residents, commissioners, and experts voiced a range of concerns about the Sentinel Grove Technology Park Data Center proposal. The most prominent issues included traffic, water use, environmental impact, land use compatibility, and incomplete project information. These concerns echo the resident opposition seen in the White City housing project, where local voices played a decisive role in shaping development outcomes.

Traffic Impact on Orange Avenue and Surrounding Roads

Traffic congestion emerged as the most critical concern. The site is accessed via Orange Avenue, a two-lane road with a 30 mph speed limit. According to public testimony, Orange Avenue already experiences 30–40 minute backups during peak hours. The proposal did not include a detailed analysis of construction-phase traffic, despite expectations of hundreds of daily trips during both construction and operation. Residents cited ongoing heavy traffic from a nearby solar farm project, where 200–500 trucks per day have reportedly damaged Minnetonka Road.

Water Use, Stormwater, and Wastewater Issues

Data centers typically require large amounts of water for cooling. The applicant claimed that new technology would reduce water use to 10% of traditional systems. However, the project would add 345 acres of roofing, generating substantial stormwater runoff. There were questions about whether the ground could support a multi-million-gallon retention pond, given the area’s shell substrate. Concerns were also raised about potential wastewater discharge impacting nearby canals and the St. Lucie estuary.

Noise, Light, and Environmental Impacts

The facility would operate around the clock, with cooling fans and over 126 diesel backup generators. The applicant stated that noise would be limited to 60 decibels at the property line, comparable to normal conversation. However, residents worried about continuous noise, light pollution from the facility and substations, and possible harm to local wildlife. Potential impacts include altered migration patterns and disrupted animal communications.

Land Use Compatibility and Rural Character

The Sentinel Grove Technology Park Data Center is located outside the Urban Service Boundary, in a region known for agriculture and cattle ranching. According to commissioners and residents, the proposal represents urban sprawl and contradicts county goals for preserving rural character. There is concern that approving this project could set a precedent for more industrial development in rural zones. The ongoing debate is reminiscent of the Rainbow Groves project, which advanced despite significant opposition from the community.

Incomplete Project Information and Uncertainty

Several key details remain unresolved. The applicant did not present a confirmed tenant for the data center, and financing is contingent on a power allocation from Florida Power & Light. The traffic study did not address construction-phase impacts, and a third-party review was not provided to commissioners. Additionally, a water management district permit has not yet been obtained.

Community Opposition to the Data Center Proposal

Residents and landowners voiced strong opposition to the Sentinel Grove Technology Park Data Center. Key points included:

Already-heavy traffic from nearby solar farm construction damaging local roads
Fears that warehouses could replace the data center if no tenant is secured
Loss of agricultural heritage, with family ranches operating for about 100 years
Safety concerns for autistic children and elderly residents due to increased traffic
Preference for keeping the area as agricultural or open space, with suggestions that better locations exist near the I-95 corridor

Next Steps in the Approval Process

The applicant may appeal the Planning & Zoning Commission’s recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), which serves as the final decision-maker. If the BOCC approves the land use change, the applicant must submit a detailed Plan Non-Residential Development that includes:

Specific building placement and heights
Comprehensive traffic impact analysis, including construction phase
Water and wastewater management plans
Environmental impact assessments

The proposal would then return to the Planning & Zoning Commission for another public hearing. State agencies, such as the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), would also review the project. A potential reversionary clause was discussed, which could revert the land to agricultural zoning if not developed within five years, but this has not been finalized.

Planning & Zoning Commission’s Decision

The Planning & Zoning Commission voted to recommend denial of the Sentinel Grove Technology Park Data Center proposal. The main reasons cited were poor land use compatibility with the rural character and inadequate analysis of traffic and infrastructure impacts. This decision is not final; it now moves to the County Commission for a final determination. Community opposition remains strong, especially regarding traffic capacity and the preservation of agricultural heritage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sentinel Grove Technology Park Data Center

What is the Sentinel Grove Technology Park Data Center proposal?

The Sentinel Grove Technology Park Data Center is a plan for a large-scale data center and technology campus on 1,218 acres west of Port St. Lucie. It would provide data processing, storage, and distribution for cloud computing, AI, and social media platforms.

How much traffic would the data center add to Orange Avenue?

According to public testimony, the project would add hundreds of daily trips during both construction and operation phases. Orange Avenue already experiences significant traffic backups, and the proposal did not include a detailed construction-phase traffic analysis.

Are there confirmed tenants or power commitments for the data center?

No confirmed tenant has been identified, and financing is contingent on a power allocation from Florida Power & Light. The applicant stated they are waiting in line for a tenant and power commitment.

Can you explain the environmental concerns about the project?

Concerns include potential high water use for cooling, stormwater runoff from large roofs, noise from generators, light pollution, and possible impacts on local wildlife and waterways. The area is also known for its agricultural and ranching heritage.