City of Quinte West planning staff are recommending approval for a rezoning of property on Riverside Drive that could
lead to the construction of a small data centre.
Should the project eventually get final approval, the centre would be located in a renovated former Saputo building just north
of Highway 401, vacant since the dairy products maker closed its doors in 2020. The proponent says 14 well-paid full-time jobs will be created.
Quinte West’s Planning Advisory Committee will vote on the recommendation at its meeting on Thursday, September 17.
At a previous public meeting on the proposal, several residents raised concerns about hydro and water usage, noise, and
effects on the environment.
The applicant says water won’t be used to cool the centre as it will have a closed-loop dry cooling system.
Hydro One has already approved 8,000 kw of power for the facility and noise studies indicate the expected noise
from the facility will be within acceptable limits.
Lower Trent Conservation has concerns regarding the centre and the Glen Miller Creek Floodplain but continues to study
updated reports and has yet to issue their approval or disapproval.
Should the committee and then council approve a rezoning, much more technical study would be mandatory in
the Site Plan Control stage before final approvals are given.
