COMMUNITY PETITION
KEEP DATA CENTERS & LARGE-SCALE INDUSTRIAL POWER FACILITIES OUT OF WOODWARD
To the Mayor, Woodward City Council, and City Officials:

We, the undersigned residents and supporters of the Woodward community, respectfully ask the City of Woodward to take proactive steps to prevent data centers and large-scale industrial power-generation facilities from being developed within Woodward and areas subject to the City's zoning authority.

WHY THIS MATTERS
Woodward is a small community surrounded by farmland, agricultural operations, and livestock. Agriculture is an important part of the land, economy, and character of our area.

Large-scale industrial developments such as data centers and major power-generation facilities can require substantial amounts of land, electricity, water, utility infrastructure, and other resources.

Depending on the type and size of the facility, potential impacts may include:

Significant demand on electricity and utilities
Potentially substantial water usage
Industrial and mechanical noise
Large buildings, generators, equipment, substations, or transmission infrastructure
Increased construction and commercial traffic
Additional demands on roads and infrastructure
Environmental and drainage concerns
Increased demands on emergency services
Changes to surrounding residential and agricultural areas
Potential public incentives, tax abatements, TIF, or other financial assistance
Permanent changes to the rural and small-town character of our community
PROTECT OUR FARMS, LIVESTOCK & AGRICULTURAL LAND
Woodward is not simply a collection of residential neighborhoods. Our community is also surrounded by working farms, agricultural land, and livestock operations.

These families and operations deserve to be considered when decisions are made about large-scale industrial development.

Depending on the facility proposed, residents and agricultural producers may have legitimate concerns regarding:

Water availability and usage
Changes to drainage or stormwater patterns
Construction dust and traffic
Continuous industrial noise
Additional lighting and nighttime light pollution
Electrical and transmission infrastructure
Loss or conversion of agricultural land
Potential environmental impacts
Effects on livestock and farming operations
Increased heavy-vehicle traffic on roads also used by agricultural equipment
Before allowing an industrial facility of this scale, the City of Woodward should require a complete assessment of its potential impact on nearby farms, livestock, agricultural land, water resources, and rural residents.

Our agricultural community should not be expected to absorb unnecessary risks or disruption to accommodate an industrial development that may provide limited direct benefit to Woodward residents.

WE ARE NOT AGAINST GROWTH
We support responsible growth that makes sense for Woodward.

We welcome businesses, housing, recreation, locally beneficial commercial development, and opportunities that strengthen our community.

However, not every type of development is appropriate for every community.

We believe Woodward should establish protections now—before a massive industrial project is proposed.

BY SIGNING THIS PETITION, WE ASK THE CITY OF WOODWARD TO:
1. Prohibit new large-scale data center developments within Woodward and areas subject to City zoning authority.

2. Prohibit large-scale industrial power-generation facilities that are inconsistent with the size, infrastructure, agricultural surroundings, residential areas, and character of our community.

3. Review and update Woodward's zoning ordinances and comprehensive plan to clearly address these types of developments.

4. Require meaningful public notice and community input before considering future zoning changes that could allow these uses.

5. Protect Woodward's water, electricity, roads, utilities, emergency services, and other infrastructure from disproportionate industrial demands.

6. Require consideration of potential impacts on farms, livestock, agricultural land, water resources, drainage, and rural properties before approving major industrial development.

7. Protect residents and taxpayers from unnecessary financial burdens or public subsidies associated with large private industrial developments.

8. Prioritize development that provides meaningful and sustainable benefits to the people who live, work, and farm in and around Woodward.

PROTECT WOODWARD BEFORE THE DECISION HAS TO BE MADE
Once a large industrial development is approved and built, its impact can last for generations.

Woodward's homes, farms, livestock, agricultural land, natural resources, infrastructure, and small-town character deserve to be considered before industrial development changes them permanently.

We believe decisions about Woodward's future should be made openly, proactively, and with the voices of its residents at the center of the conversation.

By signing below, I support asking the City of Woodward to establish appropriate protections to prevent large-scale data centers and inappropriate large-scale industrial power-generation facilities from being developed in our community.

PROTECT OUR HOMES. PROTECT OUR FARMS. PROTECT OUR RESOURCES. PROTECT WOODWARD'S FUTURE.
 
COMMUNITY SIGNATURES
I support this petition and the requests outlined above.