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Urbana residents urge council to rescind zoning change that could allow a data center; ordinance reaches second reading
Summary
Residents and nearby conservation advocates urged Urbana City Council on June 9 to revert recent zoning text changes to Chapter 1126—citing proximity to schools and Cedar Bog, potential water and noise impacts, and limited developer transparency—while the ordinance received its second reading and no final vote was taken.
President Paul opened a public hearing on June 9 for Ordinance 4635-26, a proposal to adopt the Planning Commission recommendation reverting Chapter 1126 of the Urbana Codified Ordinances to the version in effect before Ordinance 4621-25. Ms. Jumper read the ordinance into the record, and the council invited public comment.
Dozens of residents and conservation advocates urged the council to rescind the zoning change that supporters say would permit a data center on the site. Judy Page, a member of a city subcommittee, summarized local proximity data and health concerns, saying the school sits about 0.01 mile from the proposed fence line, Vancrest about 0.12 mile and Old Town about 0.4 mile. Page warned that ‘‘within half a mile from a data center, the air quality diminishes, noise can be linked to disorders and disease, and light affects sleep rhythms,’’ and she described a lack of transparency around the developer known in the record as "Thor." Page also cited outside commentary saying rising AI infrastructure demands pose broad resource risks and urged the council not to allow a data center on the site.
Mary Mason, president of the Cedar Bog Board of Trustees, urged reverting the zoning to protect the preserve and questioned the project’s scope, asking why developers purchased 565 acres if only a small portion would be developed. Kathy Marshall, a Cedar Bog trustee, told council that the local school board had not received information from Thor, flagged the potential for tax abatements to reduce local benefit and noted that most construction jobs tied to such projects are temporary; she also stated that data center operators commonly tap local water infrastructure.
Other public commenters pointed to municipal policy options and process concerns. Madison Shephard said Plain City recently adopted stronger zoning safeguards and recommended making data centers a conditional use. Brad Winner Sr. criticized the process that moved the project from an industrial-park concept to the present proposal and accused developers of opaque land practices. Erin Patton told council that moving a use from conditional to a principal permitted use avoided necessary review and that the council has the legislative power to correct procedural errors. Several speakers invoked environmental stewardship—one quoting John Muir—and volunteers from Cedar Bog warned development runoff would threaten water quality and species such as crayfish.
The public hearing closed at 6:44 p.m. The council then convened a special meeting at the Urbana Fire Division Fire Bay. Mr. Thackery moved to place Ordinance 4635-26 on the floor for discussion and Ms. Jumper seconded; President Paul declared the ordinance to have had its second reading. During brief council remarks Ms. Truelove reiterated her opposition to a data center and Ms. Jumper thanked residents for sustained engagement and said she was reviewing legislative language to address apparent process gaps.
No final vote on Ordinance 4635-26 was taken on June 9. Ms. Jumper moved to adjourn, Ms. Truelove seconded, and the council approved by voice vote with all ayes and no nays. The meeting adjourned at 6:49 p.m.; the council’s next scheduled meeting is June 16, 2026. The ordinance remains at second reading and would require subsequent readings and any required procedural steps before becoming law.
