SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. — A group of residents is suing Spartanburg County and Valara Holdings LLC, the company behind a nearly $3 billion data center under construction along South Pine Street, arguing the project was improperly classified as a minor land development — a designation that did not require a public review process.
The South Carolina Environmental Law Center is leading the lawsuit on behalf of Concerned Citizens of Spartanburg County.
What the classification means
Under Spartanburg County’s Unified Land Management Ordinance, all land development is classified as either minor or major.
The ordinance says major land developments include, but are not limited to, commercial and industrial parks, subdivisions, shopping centers, manufactured home parks, and condominium and apartment complexes. All other developments are classified as minor…