T-5 suspends wetland permit application in light of community concern

Atlanta-based T-5 Data Centers has indefinitely suspended its permit application for wetland remediation on property it is developing in Grayslake due to community questions and concerns.

“We've successfully managed wetland remediation projects in many regions and always consider local readiness and support before moving forward with those plans,” said Pete Marin, T-5 CEO, in a statement this week.

“Given the extent of community questions and concerns about wetland remediation in Grayslake, we've volunteered to indefinitely suspend our permit application for wetland remediation,” he added.

T-5 would have needed an application to fill 15.75 acres as part of the project.

That doesn’t mean the project itself is on hold. But Marin’s statement is an acknowledgment of the intense and continuing public pushback on the massive project between Alleghany Road and Route 83 north of Peterson Road.

“That's encouraging to know that they’re hearing us,” said Michael Smith, a North Barrington resident, chairperson and co-founder of Lake County Data Center Opposition Coalition.

However, the intent is to proceed with a lawsuit to oppose the process by which the project was approved, he noted.

“We'll see where things go from there,” he said.

T-5 received village approvals between September 2024 and May 2025 for what has been described as the next generation AI-ready data center campus.

What could become an $18 billion project could span up to 472 acres, with 18 buildings, totaling about 10 million square feet.

The coalition has a board and about 30 active members who have been canvassing neighborhoods, distributing yard signs, organizing protests at events and meetings and fundraising.

Opponents on another social media site for months have questioned water and energy use, potential environmental impacts and other aspects of the project, held rallies and spoke during public comment at Grayslake and other municipal board meetings.

T-5 is in the Cornerstone business park. As it stands, general site work — such as water mains and roads — is underway by the original developer, the Alter Group.

T-5 is in the “administrative technical building permit process” for the first building and associated electrical facility, to be located near the water tower at Cornerstone, according to Chase Muscato, deputy village manager.

A foundation permit has been issued for the first building, he added.

Muscato said the village “strongly advocated” for withdrawal of the wetland permit.

“The mitigation was not necessary for the project to move forward,” he said.

Supporters say hundreds of millions in new tax revenue will benefit local schools, first responders and others.

“We are fully committed to continuing our partnership with local officials and delivering a development that is not only sustainable, but also produces over 1,600 jobs, uses less water than virtually any other industrial or commercial project, and has virtually no effect on electric rates for residents or local businesses,” Marin wrote.

mzawislak@dailyherald.com