Lenoir residents debate proposed Google tower

LENOIR, N.C. — Google wants to build the tallest building in Caldwell County, and residents are not happy about the zoning change.

The zoning change would allow Google to build a structure up to 150 feet tall which it describes as a 10- to 12-story building at the already massive data center. That is nearly twice as tall as any of the buildings you see over there.
 
Mike McCoy lives near the Google data center. 

The ongoing construction at Google in Lenoir has made it difficult for him to sell his home, he said.  

"Why build here right in the middle of Lenoir?" McCoy said. "(It is) so populated, and they are expanding every day. Why didn't they build out in the county?"
 
Earlier this week, a subcontractor for the company submitted the conditional zoning request saying it will allow Google "to keep up with the changing technological demands of computer and data processing."  
 
The design calls for a building roughly 127 feet tall.
 
Richard Wright, who works and lives nearby, is concerned about the construction traffic.

"I want to know what it is and what it's for instead of being told they're going to be able to do it and they can do it. Do you think you'll find out? No. No. Absolutely not," Wright said.
 
City leaders said the Internet giant has invested hundreds of millions of dollars there, and the city receives more property taxes from Google than any other company in the city.  

"All those coming here and working at the Google site that come into Lenoir, obviously they have to stay here," Mayor Joe Gibbons said. "They have to eat and buy groceries. It is really affecting our economy in great ways."
 
The building will also be on low ground on the property and there will be additional setbacks from the road, Gibbons said. 

Earlier this week, the Lenoir planning board recommended approval for the conditional zoning request.
 
The Lenoir City Council will vote on it on Aug. 18.

WSOC