Through a hail of jeers, curse words and complaints, members of the Festus City Council approved an ordinance marking a big step toward a highly controversial plan to build a $6 billion data center in the area.
Festus High School gym's rafters filled with the voices of residents who oppose the project Monday night at a special meeting of the city council. Council members approved an ordinance creating a framework of requirements for developer CRG, the data center arm of area developer Clayco, by a vote of 6-2.
The ordinance locks in rules the developer must follow if the data center is built, like requiring CRG to pay for infrastructure upgrades to water, sewage, streets and more.
Around 25 members of the public were allotted five minutes each to comment on the ordinance before the vote.
Lauren Albers lives near the location of the proposed data center, just three houses down from where CRG has said it will offer buyouts to homeowners. Like many who spoke at the meeting, she said she believed the city council had already made up its mind on the proposal.
"I am not against growth," she said. "I'm against putting data centers between homes. I am against rushing into development before residents get real information, real answers and a real voice."
Thirty-nine individuals signed up to speak, but Mayor Sam Richards cut off public comment after two hours before the council hastily moved the ordinance to a vote.
Staci Templeton and Brian Wehner, council members who represent Festus's second ward, voted against the ordinance in what many audience members called a "surprise move."
After the vote, members of the council and representatives with Clayco CRG left through the back doors of the gymnasium as angered residents lined up against a wall of Festus police officers.
The vote is the latest in a series of incidents between city officials and residents who oppose the data center proposal. In recent months, opponents expressed concerns about transparency — including meetings with CRG they alleged were held without public knowledge of city residents.
The issue was brought up several times by speakers.
"You are putting the city at risk," said resident Matthew Ramsbottom.
See more photos from the meeting by STLPR Visuals Editor Brian Munoz.
Ordinance requires CRG to pay city
CRG hopes to build the data center on roughly 360 acres north of Highway 67.
City Attorney Brian Malone outlined the possible benefits of the project. He said, even with a five year tax abatement, the project could garner $80 million annually in tax money for Festus and nearby taxing districts.
Malone said, without the ordinance, the city would lose out on a measurable portion of tax dollars and control over other parts of the development.
"We would lose a significant measure of control over the site configuration, and would lose the environmental commitments that this agreement provides," Malone said.
As part of the agreement with the city, CRG will pay the city $3 million each year on "community development" for five years and then $5 million a year for another five years.
Additionally, CRG will enter into an agreement with Ameren Missouri, ensuring it will pay for its energy use and any additional energy infrastructure needed to serve the data center.
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