The Norwalk City Council approved a development agreement Thursday related to a large land development project west of the community, following a public hearing that drew significant resident feedback.

The agreement is with a private land developer who is assembling property, and will be responsible for constructing much of the infrastructure needed to prepare the site for future development. City officials have said the agreement does not approve construction of a data center, though the land has been widely discussed in connection with potential data center uses.

Several residents spoke during the public hearing, with the majority voicing opposition to the possibility of a data center being built in the area. Concerns raised included potential environmental impacts, the city’s environmental standards, and the size of the proposed development compared to data centers in nearby communities.

Residents also questioned potential water use associated with a large-scale facility and whether that demand could lead to future increases in water rates. Others expressed concern that many of the jobs that would be created are often filled by contractors rather than providing long-term employment opportunities for residents.

City officials previously clarified that the city is working with a developer preparing land for potential projects, rather than with a confirmed data center operator. They say the agreement represents an early step in preparing land and infrastructure, and that any specific development proposal, including a data center, would require separate approvals and additional public review.