Urbana City Council tables decision on data center settlement
The Urbana City Council tabled a proposed settlement with Thor Equities over the Urbana Technology Hub data center project in a 4-3 vote. The settlement would resolve federal and state litigation, allow the project to proceed, and require environmental, water and wastewater measures, while residents oppose rushing the decision and voters consider a charter amendment banning data centers.
The Urbana City Council delayed a decision on a proposed settlement with Thor Equities concerning the Urbana Technology Hub data center project. The 4-3 vote followed a 90-minute executive session, and the resolution was tabled until Nov. 3. The agreement would resolve a federal lawsuit and related state-court appeal, permit up to 2 million square feet of data center and related space, and require Thor to make payments totaling $50 million through construction phases.
The settlement also calls for an independent study of potential impacts on Cedar Bog, water use and wastewater services, as well as company support for water and sewer improvements and emergency and decommissioning plans. Residents and members of the city's data center study committee urged the council to wait for more research. Urbana voters are scheduled to consider a charter amendment on Nov. 3 that would prohibit most data center construction in the city.