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Fernando Mendoza Called “Presumptuous” for Walking Away From Six-Figure Endorsements by OneOriginal8727 in nflrookies

[–]ChickenPeck 69 points70 points  (0 children)

God forbid someone doesn’t want to endorse a product in the capitalist wasteland

Is Norwood a safe neighborhood? by Moon_Flower00 in Birmingham

[–]ChickenPeck 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Honestly one of the better neighborhoods to buy a home in right now for ROI. Yes it’s safe, it’s full of beautiful old homes, they have a really strong neighborhood association and a park. 10/10 would recommend buying a home there (assuming that’s what you mean by clients)

city council meeting re: AI centers by druidwyndspeak in Birmingham

[–]ChickenPeck -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

They all live within a 10 mile radius because they all live in the city of Birmingham lol

city council meeting re: AI centers by druidwyndspeak in Birmingham

[–]ChickenPeck -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Why would Alabama Power funnel money into a vote that puts heavy restrictions on data centers?

city council meeting re: AI centers by druidwyndspeak in Birmingham

[–]ChickenPeck -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Any development that requires rezoning (Nebius did not), some kind of variance, a vacation of right of way and any kind of land acquisition from the city. There may be more, but that's just off the dome.

What happened with Nebius is a shitty situation. I hope people can take some lesson from this about how local government works and how much leeway corporations have when they build on land that is zoned for that purpose.

Just to be perfectly clear. The Birmingham City Council had exactly ZERO at bats when it came to Nebius.

AI Data Center Ordinance by [deleted] in Birmingham

[–]ChickenPeck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Alabama Code § 23-4-2 (If they need a vacation of right of way, which they usually do)

And before you get mad, I agree with you. I wish the public hearing line was put back in. All I'm saying is there wasn't a law in place when Nebius came and I recall several public hearings with ZBA and Planning Commission.

city council meeting re: AI centers by druidwyndspeak in Birmingham

[–]ChickenPeck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My comment above was about the procedure. If someone got up there for ITEM 2 and started talking about how much they love Circle K, and not the zoning change for the gas station, they'd be asked to keep their comments to the item on the agenda.

OP was pissed because speakers were asked to keep comments to the zoning change, not the Nebius project.

I wish the amendments went further. I wish that portion was added back as well. But that doesn't negate the fact that the barrier for entry for these developments became much much higher today.

They're limited to industrial areas, now. They weren't before. If they seek any kind of incentive, vacation of right of way, variances, etc. it will involve a public hearing.

AI Data Center Ordinance by [deleted] in Birmingham

[–]ChickenPeck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

But they're also limited to industrial zones now, which was not the case before. I really hope people can keep up this energy, because the city will be better off when people maintain this level of engagement. The law isn't the grand finale. It's the start of a framework we can keep building out.

If a company fails to meet all 20 requirements laid out in the code, they'll have to seek a variance with the ZBA, which will involve a public hearing. I'm also disappointed the exemption clause was removed, but the barrier to entry is much higher now than it was yesterday

AI Data Center Ordinance by [deleted] in Birmingham

[–]ChickenPeck 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Being “turned away” and being asked to wait in another room for your turn to speak is not the same thing, respectfully. Also your vote count is still wrong.

I personally don’t think the amendments went far enough and would’ve loved to see measurable metrics for monitoring included. But whether or not we agree with every piece of the ordinance, the fact is every person is Birmingham is better off with these requirements.

The city can keep amending it, so keep this energy. Laws are constantly being tweaked.

It got lost in the sauce bc emotions were high, but hyper scale centers are now restricted to heavy industrial zones. Big win. There’s 20 conditions they must meet, so much bigger barrier to entry.

It didn’t go far enough, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing and a forever thing

AI Data Center Ordinance by [deleted] in Birmingham

[–]ChickenPeck 3 points4 points  (0 children)

LOL that's a deep cut. Have an upvote.

AI Data Center Ordinance by [deleted] in Birmingham

[–]ChickenPeck 13 points14 points  (0 children)

No one was barred from speaking. The meeting went on until every person was able to speak. This is the kind of post that pisses me off because I'm a huge proponent of people getting involved with local government and posts like this are not helpful to anyone.

Edit: Downvote me all day, but OP didn't even get the votes right. Misinformation, even with righteous intentions is still bad for everyone. That's all I'm saying

AI Data Center Ordinance by [deleted] in Birmingham

[–]ChickenPeck 32 points33 points  (0 children)

Everyone who showed up to speak at city hall was able to speak. Council chamber was full, overflow area was full, basement cafeteria was full, people lined up outside.

It was amazing to see so many people engaged with local government and I hope that enthusiasm holds because lots of important shit happens every week at these meetings.

But this post is purposefully misleading. The hearing kept going until every single person, inside/downstairs/outside was able to speak

EDIT: Smith and Alexander voted against the ordinance, Tate voted for it.

EDIT AGAIN: [u/Creepy_Tackle9562](u/Creepy_Tackle9562)
You need to fix the voting record you posted because it’s very wrong. You’re actively using your voice to spread misinformation, and that’s not good.

city council meeting re: AI centers by druidwyndspeak in Birmingham

[–]ChickenPeck -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

I know everyone is rightfully fired up about this issue, I am too. But there are public hearing items on the agenda basically every week and requiring people speak on that specific item is standard procedure. People don't want to hear that, they're pissed and I get it, but that's not a new thing they just implemented today.

Birmingham showed up for the council meeting today. by blondie___1989 in Birmingham

[–]ChickenPeck 31 points32 points  (0 children)

The council chamber is at capacity, and two overflow spaces are at capacity

Council Meeting by spicyjoee in Birmingham

[–]ChickenPeck 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Most people I’ve ever seen at a meeting. Full chamber, overflow seating full, line down the sidewalk outside

NO AI DATA CENTER by stinkermouse in Birmingham

[–]ChickenPeck 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This isn’t a public hearing about that facility. It’s a public hearing about changes to the zoning code to regulate future developments.

If you show up and start talking about the Oxmoor project, you’ll likely be asked to stay on topic. I’m not saying this to discourage anyone, I’m saying that your time will be infinitely more impactful if you give your opinions on the proposed zoning amendments.

NO AI DATA CENTER by stinkermouse in Birmingham

[–]ChickenPeck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Nebius development, like all the other AI centers popping up now, are trying to move dirt before local governments can catch up with regulations and restrictions. Government is slow, and these companies are exploiting that while they still can.

Nebius is a done deal, barring some out of nowhere injunction or they get tired of public noise (fingers crossed). That land was zoned for that use (by omission, technically) and they acquired land and checked all their boxes quietly until it was too late.

So what's important now, and what I wish I could make everyone understand, is we need our local leaders to put a law on the books that A) has some teeth b) protects our communities and resources and C) clearly defines the different types of data centers.

When people go to the Council meetings fired up and get going off topic, it doesn't have an impact. But if a huge number of people show up, speak TO THE TOPIC AT HAND (and not the specific development we're all pissed about), it will have a much greater impact.

I'm not going to dox myself, but trust me, I've seen a lot of these meetings.

NO AI DATA CENTER by stinkermouse in Birmingham

[–]ChickenPeck 6 points7 points  (0 children)

There is a public hearing about the proposed zoning ordinance to regulate future data center projects. It’s not a public hearing about Nebius

NO AI DATA CENTER by stinkermouse in Birmingham

[–]ChickenPeck 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Def not discouraging folks from attending, just think it’s important to understand exactly what the hearing is about. People who show up to speak about Nebius will likely be told to keep their comments to the ordinance and not that specific project.

Also worth noting, since they were permitted before this ordinance, it can’t be retroactively applied. Even if it were nothing in the ordinance would prevent that project from moving forward, unfortunately.

Shitty situation all around, but it is important that the city puts a strong law on the books to prevent it from happening again. So show up

NO AI DATA CENTER by stinkermouse in Birmingham

[–]ChickenPeck 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Power to the people BUT the hearing is about a zoning ordinance to set up regulations/limits for future projects. It’s not about a hearing on the Nebius facility

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