Lowndes Co. Commission sued over data center project approval

From the West Alabama Newsroom–

The fight over a controversial data center project in Lowndes Co. may not be over just yet.

A pair of residents are now suing the county commission over its recent approval of the project.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit have homes located near the proposed site for the data center.

According to the lawsuit — the commission’s approval of the project is invalid — because of the way it was done.

The lawsuit alleges that the commission violated the Open Meetings Act — and failed to follow proper procedures for a Chapter 9-B Abatement.

The suit is seeking an injunction from a judge — to stop the commission from taking further action on the project — until a court determines the legality of the action to approve the project.

“We’re trying to get a judge to say whether or not, you know, what they’ve been doing is procedurally correct,” said Attorney Arlene Richardson.

“It may be a contested matter. I wouldn’t say that it’s like absolutely cut and dry, but there’s a good chance that a judge could keep them, from, this whole thing from being valid because of the way that they did it.”

Circuit Judge Cleveland Poole recused himself from the case — and another judge will have be appointed.

The Lowndes County Commission approved the data center project — a week ago.