Tensions flare as Morris residents seek data center answers
Morris residents voiced concerns about a proposed data center development by Tract during a City Council meeting, despite the issue not being on the agenda. The city is developing a comprehensive zoning text amendment to regulate data centers, while residents expressed frustration with a planned virtual town hall and perceived lack of transparency from officials.
Morris residents used the public commenting period at a recent City Council meeting to express their concerns about a proposed data center development, despite the issue not being on the agenda. Mayor Chris Brown announced a virtual town hall hosted by Tract, the firm proposing the data center, which frustrated residents who expected an in-person meeting.
Mayor Brown stated that the city is finalizing a draft of a comprehensive zoning text amendment, designed to incorporate best practices from other cities and include stringent guardrails on water usage, noise monitoring, building setbacks, on-site power generation, and site decommissioning. This amendment, aimed at ensuring responsible development, is expected to go before committees and the full council in the coming months.
Community members, including Jodi Pollack, expressed frustration over a lack of transparency and what they described as a repeated "script" from local officials, echoing sentiments heard in other communities dealing with data center proposals. Ami Frick shared experiences from Mt. Pleasant, Wisconsin, highlighting quality of life impacts such as intermittent noise and property value depreciation. However, Morris resident Jerry Cyrkiel spoke in favor of the data center, challenging what he called misinformation regarding water usage and electricity bill increases, stating that the Illinois Commerce Commission, not the city, controls electricity rates. Tensions flared at the meeting's end as residents felt their questions were being dismissed by the council.