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Residents urge Urbana council to consider moratorium on potential data-center development; law director to research options
Summary
Multiple residents asked the Urbana City Council for transparency and a moratorium on potential data-center development; Director of Law Mark Feinstein said a moratorium is legislative, requires a sunset, and he will prepare materials for the next meeting.
Local business owners and residents urged the Urbana City Council on Feb. 3 to slow or halt potential data-center development until the community has more information.
Erin Patton, who said she owns a business on South Main Street, told council she discovered recent land sales to a developer she said is known for data centers and expressed concern about health and community impacts. "I came here to find out what was really going on with the purchases...the developer is known for putting up data centers," Patton said.
Brad Winner asked Council for a moratorium and said he resigned from the CEP board in August, alleging unethical behavior and claiming the CEP director did not disclose data-center information to county commissioners. Winner named Highland as the developer in question and told council they could take immediate action by motion.
Council members acknowledged the publics concerns. Ms. Truelove said commenters generally reported negative impressions of data centers and called for greater transparency. Mrs. Collier asked Director of Law Mark Feinstein to explain the legal mechanics of a moratorium; Feinstein said a moratorium is a legislative action, must include a sunset or end date, and that he would investigate potential litigation risks and prepare a draft for the next meeting on Feb. 17.
No planning application or ordinance for a data center appears in the meeting transcript; Council discussion recorded at this session was limited to public comment and a direction for the Law Director to research options and prepare materials for Council consideration.
