Sangamon County Board Approves CyrusOne Data Center Amidst Opposition
The Sangamon County Board approved a conditional permitted use for a CyrusOne data center on agricultural land, despite significant public opposition and concerns over the county's zoning ordinance. Residents and some board members expressed frustration over the approval process, transparency, and the suitability of the location. Proposed amendments to the data center ordinance remain tabled.
The Sangamon County Board approved a conditional permitted use for a 280-acre hyperscale data center project by CyrusOne on agriculturally zoned land, following a contentious meeting in April. This decision came after the board had initially tabled the proposal due to extensive public opposition. The data center project, introduced by CyrusOne in November, is reportedly in line with a two-page zoning ordinance (Chapter 17.39 of Sangamon County Code) that the county passed in July 2025 to formally allow data centers.
Board members and opponents alike have raised concerns about the ordinance's brevity and the process by which it was approved without significant public input. Board Chair Andy Van Meter acknowledged that the ordinance is being improved, with amendments tabled in committee since April. Emails obtained through a FOIA request by The Coalition for Springfield’s Utility Future, an opposition group, revealed that CyrusOne was communicating with county officials regarding zoning guidelines even before formal committee discussions began.
Residents, including candidate Tara Bergschneider and farmers Justin and Desiree King, express frustration over the approval, citing issues with transparency, limited public comment during crucial meetings, and the perceived disregard for community sentiment. They argue that the project's industrial nature is inappropriate for agricultural land and highlight what they see as a disparity in how zoning rules are applied to large corporations versus individual landowners. The article notes that while opposition has been bipartisan, the Republican-controlled board's decision has created political division, with some residents seeking to unseat board members who voted in favor of the data center.