Smithfield to defend decision to ban data center
Investors Hanton City Investments and ROK, LLC, are challenging Smithfield’s denial of their proposed business park and data center. The developers have appealed to the Zoning Board of Appeals and filed a lawsuit seeking to reverse the town’s decision, arguing their application was submitted before Smithfield adopted a data center ban.
Smithfield officials adopted an ordinance banning data centers in June after investors submitted plans for a business park and data center along the Routes 7 and 116 corridor. The Town Council approved the ban in a 4-1 vote, while the applicants contend their May 4 filing was substantially complete and should have been protected from later zoning changes.
Hanton City Investments and ROK, LLC, are appealing the town’s denial and have filed suit in Rhode Island Superior Court. The lawsuit challenges the town’s issuance of a certificate of incompleteness, citing delays involving a sewer availability letter and alleged changes to application-completeness requirements. The Zoning Board of Appeals is also reviewing the matter; if the developers prevail, the project could proceed through the planning process under the rules in effect before the ban.