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Applicant withdraws rezoning request as residents press council over data-center transparency
Summary
At a May 5 Urbana City Council meeting the applicant for a five-parcel rezoning asked to revoke her request, and multiple residents used the public-comment period to press the council for greater transparency and an explanation of tax-abatement and data-center plans.
Erin Patton asked the Urbana City Council to revoke her request to rezone five parcels from BR-1 (Business Residential District R-3) to B-2 (General Business District) during a public hearing on May 5. President Pro Tempore Bean opened and closed the hearing; Director of Administration Spencer Mitchell confirmed that the existing zoning allows restaurants.
Patton, who owns five parcels on South Main, said a potential sale fell through after the council did not meet in early April and that she no longer wanted the rezoning. "She would like to revoke her request for the rezoning," the record states.
Following the hearing, several residents used the public-comment period to raise broader concerns tied to a planned data center and recent changes to tax-increment language. Brad Winner urged repeal of the city's CRA #2, saying "now we know what a megaproject meant, it meant a data center" and arguing that tax abatements divert revenue the schools need. Several other speakers — including Jan Ware Russell and Bryce Carafa — called for more public engagement and clearer notice before votes.
Environmental and land-use concerns were raised by Maddie Brown, Cedar Bog Preserve Manager, who provided a model ordinance used elsewhere and criticized online claims that the city 'isn't concerned with water.
City officials responded to questions about process and timelines but did not announce policy changes at the meeting. Director of Law Mark Feinstein and other staff noted Planning Commission review and standard environmental studies for property purchases and zoning changes.
The public hearing on the rezoning concluded without action beyond the applicant's withdrawal. Planning Commission is scheduled to hear related zoning questions on May 18; the council later declared the rezoning ordinance to have had its second reading and will continue the formal process on future dates.
The meeting record shows substantial community concern about data-center proposals, tax-abatement language, and local transparency. Council members and staff acknowledged those concerns and pointed residents to upcoming Planning Commission work and the Data Center Committee's continuing review.
