A Washington couple claims 'Microsoft data centre conspiracy'; says spent nearly $300,000 to build a home on their family land; state now demands they surrender 44 acres

A Washington couple claims they have been caught in what they describe as a “Microsoft data centre conspiracy” after spending nearly $300,000 trying to build a home on their family land. Tyler and Wendy Chambers own 66 acres in Chelan County and say they completed multiple studies and regulatory requirements before being told they would need to permanently set aside 44.2 acres to move ahead with construction.​According to a report by AG Web, the couple and their real estate broker, Jeff Hallman, have questioned why the requirements applied to their property while Microsoft built a data centre about 10 miles away. Hallman specifically compares the amount of earthmoving involved in the two projects. However, the claims come from Chambers and Hallman, who have criticised the county and state over the property dispute.​How the property dispute beganChambers, 59, and his wife bought three tax parcels totalling 66 acres in 2021. The property, located outside Wenatchee, was zoned residential and had access to power, water and roads. Chambers said he planned to build a home and pole barn and eventually allow his children or grandchildren to build on the property.He says he completed several checks before starting construction, including geological, soil, survey and engineering assessments. In fall 2021, he received approval to proceed from Chelan County Community Development Director Jim Brown.However, people later complained about earthmoving on the property. Chambers said a county investigation initially found the complaint to be unfounded.​On October 5, 2021, Chelan County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Marcus Foster wrote: “…The county has investigated the complaint and determined it is unfounded … Unless circumstances change, the county will not be taking further action in this manner.”​More studies followedThe situation changed after Brown left his position and Deanna Walter became director of Chelan County Community Development in 2022. Chambers said a stop-work order followed, after which the county requested additional reports and studies.According to Chambers, these included assessments involving stormwater, spotted owls, golden eagles, deer, shrubsteppe, geotechnical conditions and mitigation.“Literally, we even had to do a study to make sure we weren’t hurting spotted owls,” Chambers says. “Also, just as another countless example, there’s a drainage ditch nearby and I had to get a study to prove it wasn’t fish-bearing. It was all crazy, but we kept believing each request was the final one and each hurdle was the last we’d have to jump.”​Chambers says he eventually spent almost $300,000 on regulatory requirements and professional reports.​Why Chambers compares his case with Microsoft​The biggest dispute came when Chambers says he was required to permanently set aside 44.2 acres, or about two-thirds of his property, as mitigation before he could build.​Chambers and Hallman allege that the requirement was inconsistent with how a nearby Microsoft data centre project was treated. They point to a Microsoft project roughly 10 miles away and claim the company moved substantially more earth while being asked to set aside less land. These comparisons are allegations by Chambers and Hallman; the material provided does not independently establish that Microsoft received preferential treatment or that the two cases were connected.​“About 10 miles away, Microsoft is building a data center. Microsoft has moved 500,000 cubic yards of dirt. Tyler’s guessed amount of 1,000 is 1/500th of that—like $2 on a $1,000 bill. So how much land was Microsoft asked to set aside? Substantially less than Tyler. Still think conspiracies aren’t real?” he claimed.​Chambers also asks why neighbouring properties didn't face the same requirement.​“Guess how many of Tyler’s neighbouring homes faced a wildlife habitat easement?” Chambers asks. “None. The people beside him are immune from this regulatory insanity. That should be a major tell for a neutral observer.”​Chambers calls demand ‘extortion’​Chambers says the prolonged dispute has caused financial and personal stress for his family.​“Extortion. Theft. Unconstitutional. My family has been through hell,” Chambers says. “If you think you own land, then check out what the bureaucracy has done on my property.”​He says the family still pays about $3,000 a month on its construction loan despite being unable to proceed with the project.​“Think how unbelievably dictatorial Chelan County’s stance is. They demand control of two-thirds of Tyler’s land—three historical tax parcels with PUD water, power, fiber and road access. In my opinion, it’s because some county leaders, behind closed doors, genuinely believe private property doesn’t exist. They think all property belongs to the state. You pay the taxes, but live by their rules, since in their unstated view it belongs to the collective. They make and change rules as needed,” he added.​Chambers says he plans to continue challenging the restrictions and still intends to build a home on the property.​Get the latest technology news and updates. Download the TOI App.