Judge extends deadline in Independence data center petition dispute

Petitioners in Independence, Missouri, are engaged in a legal dispute with the city regarding their efforts to force a public vote on a proposed data center project. A judge may grant an extension for petitioners to collect signatures after City Clerk Suzanne Holland declined to certify their request. The city council had passed an ordinance on March 2nd, which city attorneys argue is not subject to a public referendum. Rachel Gonzales and her colleagues have filed a lawsuit against City Clerk Suzanne Holland to overturn this decision and allow a public vote on the data center's approval. The data center, planned by Nebius near 71 Highway and Little Blue Parkway, is already undergoing grading work by North Point, with construction expected to commence next month. Local residents, including Stan Arnold, express strong opposition to the project. A hearing on the case is scheduled for Monday at the Eastern Jackson County Courthouse, with a ruling on the signature extension expected within days or weeks.