Project Tango - Palm Beach County AI Datacenter

This project has brought many things into perspective, especially the haste at which developments are able to move through code and zoning in there is significant economic interest.

Project Tango is a Hyperscale AI Datacenter which developer PBA Holdings wants to put 1200 ft west of the Arden Residential Community in Palm Beach County, and <1000 ft away from Saddle View Elementary School.

As demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence continues to grow, hyperscale data centers are emerging as a new class of infrastructure—one that challenges traditional land-use, utility, and environmental planning frameworks.

This report examines a proposed hyperscale data center, Project Tango, with a potential 1 gigawatt (GW) continuous electrical load, comparable to the energy demand of a mid-sized city. While full build-out is anticipated by 2035, the operational footprint of a facility of this scale would extend for decades.

Although data centers are often categorized as light industrial uses, this analysis explores how the scale, intensity, and operational characteristics of hyperscale facilities more closely resemble heavy industrial or utility-scale infrastructure. Continuous power consumption, extensive on-site substations and backup generators, and persistent operational activity raise important questions about compatibility with surrounding residential areas and schools under the Palm Beach County’s Unified Land Development Code (ULDC).

Beyond land-use classification, the report conducts preliminary evaluations on grid resilience, air quality, traffic, water use, noise, lighting, and ecological impacts. Of particular note is the cumulative effect of these factors.

While individual impacts may comply with existing standards, their combined influence can create meaningful risks to infrastructure reliability, environmental quality, and community well-being.

The purpose of this paper is not advocacy, but clarity. Drawing on peer-reviewed research, public data, and established planning principles, it aims to support informed decision-making as local governments and communities adapt to this rapidly evolving form of development.

The full report is available for download below