JANESVILLE — Community groups working to place a proposed ordinance on the ballot that would require voter approval for large-scale development projects in Janesville say they need about 2,000 more signatures by the Jan. 8 deadline.
Signatures are collected on an anti-data center petition outside the Woodman's Sports & Convention Center in Janesville in November.
KYLIE BALK-YAATENEN/KYLIE.BALKYAATENEN@APG-SW.COM
The ordinance would require the Janesville City Council to refer any development project at the former General Motors/JATCO site with a total cost exceeding $450 million to citywide voters through a referendum. Organizers say the petition is not intended to advocate for or against a data center, but instead focuses on how decisions about major developments are made.
The petition drive comes amid public discussion surrounding a proposed data center at the former GM site on Janesville’s southside. Supporters emphasize that, if approved, the ordinance would apply broadly to future projects that could significantly reshape the city.
Cassandra Pope, who runs the No Janesville Data Center Facebook page, wrote in a Facebook post Monday that organizers are still in need of 2,000 signatures to meet the required amount.
To place the ordinance on the ballot, organizers must collect at least 4,000 valid signatures from eligible voters residing within Janesville city limits by the Jan. 8 deadline set by the city clerk. All signatures must be gathered in person, and only registered city voters are eligible to sign.
“This petition is a positive step for our community because it shows we’re united, we care about Janesville’s future, and we expect our leaders to listen,” Cathy Erdman of SNOW Janesville, a citizens group on the city’s southside, where the data center is being considered, said in a release.
SNOW Janesville supports the No Janesville Data Center petition effort. Erdman said city residents have raised concerns about large development decisions being made without sufficient transparency or meaningful public input.
“We’ve heard from hundreds of people who don’t want decisions about large development projects made behind closed doors, with excessive overreach, or without a straightforward process for real public input, like a referendum,” she said.
With fewer than four weeks remaining before the Jan. 8 deadline, organizers are also seeking volunteer petition circulators to help collect signatures at community events, in public spaces and in neighborhoods throughout Janesville.
Residents interested in signing the petition can find circulators in their neighborhoods or at several local businesses during regular hours, including Eagle Inn Family Restaurant, 1809 Center Ave.; Jack & Dick’s Feed & Garden, 975 S. Jackson St.; Southern Exposure Tan Spa and Gift Shoppe, 1617 W. Court St.; and Ro & Co Nails, 107 W. Milwaukee St., Suite 205.
Those interested in volunteering can contact the organizers at nojanesvilledatacenter@gmail.com. Training and petition packets will be provided.
More information about the petition drive is available on the No Janesville Data Center Facebook page.
Sign up for our Daily Update & Weekend Update email newsletters!
Get the latest news, sports, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.
