Urbana Voters Ban Data Centers and Recall Mayor
Urbana voters passed a charter amendment banning future data centers and recalled Mayor Bill Bean in the November 3 election.
Voters in Urbana passed a charter amendment to ban future data centers and recalled Mayor Bill Bean during the November 3 election. The charter amendment passed with 77% of the vote, prohibiting new data centers from entering the city. However, the ban may not resolve a pending legal battle with Thor Equities, which is suing the city after council members repealed zoning rules and implemented a 12-month moratorium to block the proposed Urbana Technology Hub.
Eugene E. Fields, a former city council member, emerged as the sole replacement candidate after the recall of Mayor Bean passed with 73% support. Fields is expected to be sworn in on November 19 following final certification of the results by the Champaign County Board of Elections.
The election results follow organized efforts by local advocates. Nicole Nawman, the Champaign County Lead for Conserve Ohio, initiated the petition to place the data center ban on the ballot. Separately, James Cropper led the petition drive to remove Mayor Bean from office.
