Grayslake, T5 moving forward with data center development in the midst of resident lawsuit
The Village of Grayslake has issued an initial building permit for a T5 data center campus, despite an ongoing lawsuit filed by residents. The lawsuit seeks to block the development, alleging zoning violations and breaches of the Open Meetings Act. T5 and the village emphasize environmental responsibility and community input in the project.
The Village of Grayslake has issued the initial building permit for the first facility in a T5 data center campus, proceeding with the development amidst a resident lawsuit. Local residents, organized as the Lake County Illinois Data Center Opposition Coalition, filed a lawsuit in early August against T5 and the company that sold them the land.
The lawsuit aims to void all approvals and agreements made for the data center between 2024 and 2025, including the development agreement. It also seeks a permanent injunction to prevent T5 from obtaining future permits in Grayslake, alleging that data centers are not permitted under village zoning rules and that the village violated the Illinois Open Meetings Act during negotiations with T5. Plaintiffs include residents from Grayslake, Saddlebrook Farms, Mundelein, and Round Lake Park.
Despite the legal challenge, Grayslake officials announced the permit issuance, highlighting that the project received no tax breaks or subsidies. Village leaders expect the tax base growth from the $18 billion investment to reduce local financial burdens and fund community projects. T5 CEO Pete Marin affirmed the company's commitment to responsible development, incorporating extensive community input, and meeting or exceeding state requirements for noise pollution, water, and electricity usage. Site work for the 800,000-square-foot building is scheduled to begin immediately.