The 636-megawatt data center would sit on about 280 acres of land on Thayer Road in Waverly, about 40 minutes southwest of Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - After hours of debate and heated public comment, Sangamon County Board members voted 17 to 10 to approve land for the CyrusOne data center on April 7.

Now, the project is moving into its next phase, but construction is not happening just yet. 

"The next steps [are] they're going to have to submit a plan. Then we do a review of that. With that, there are certain aspects we're looking at," said Trustin Harrison, zoning administrator.  

The 636-megawatt data center would sit on about 280 acres of land on Thayer Road in Waverly, about 40 minutes southwest of Springfield. Back in March, the county's zoning board unanimously determined the project met zoning requirements. 

Still, some residents said the approval process felt rushed. 

"I feel if anything, this slowed down quite a bit to give people the opportunity to speak," Harrison said.  

Before any building can begin, CyrusOne must submit detailed site plans, along with updated documentation from utility providers. 

"In this case, it's Apple Creek for the water, the Rural Electric Co-op for the electricity; we put that in there, that at the time of permitting, we want an updated letter that is still valid," Harrison said.  

Noise has also been a major concern for nearby residents. 

"They're going to do a sound study of pre-construction and a sound study post-construction," Harrison said. 

Even though the land has been approved, no construction can begin until those detailed plans are submitted and reviewed, a process officials say could take months.

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