Groups sue Franklin County over data center approvals
Two coalitions have filed separate court actions challenging Franklin County’s approval of an ordinance and rezonings for two proposed data centers, the Diamond Farms Villa Ridge and Crooked Creek Farm Pacific projects. The lawsuits raise due-process, public-notice, hearing, master-plan, and public-welfare concerns, leaving a judge to determine whether the projects can proceed.
The Franklin County Rural Coalition, represented by attorney Bruce Morrison of the Great Rivers Environmental Law Center, is challenging approvals tied to the Diamond Farms Villa Ridge data center project. The coalition argues that residents may not have received a meaningful opportunity to participate, that required notices may have been insufficient, and that changes to the proposed regulations may have required additional public hearings.
Attorney Zach McMichael of the Cape Soco law firm is representing the Pacific Root Coalition in a separate action involving the Crooked Creek Farm Pacific project. That petition alleges the county did not adequately connect the rezoning to its master plan and the public welfare. Franklin County Commissioner Dave Schattz was contacted for comment, but had not responded by the time of the report; a judge will decide whether the projects can move forward.