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ST. CHARLES — The fate of a controversial 440-acre data center is in doubt following allegations that the site is largely owned by a relative of St. Charles Mayor Dan Borgmeyer.

UPDATE, 5 p.m. Monday: Data center is dead in St. Charles. Developer withdraws plans

A citizen's group on Sunday called for an investigation into efforts to bring the data center to north St. Charles near Highway 370, citing a lack of transparency on the project, concerns over environmental impacts and the mayor's relationship to the landowner, Clarice Hollrah, who is a cousin of Borgmeyer.

City council members said on Monday that they didn't know Borgmeyer was related to the site's owner. Several council members have recently expressed doubts about the project, led by construction giant Clayco and its development arm, CRG.

Late Monday morning, Borgmeyer himself said he no longer supported the effort. 

"There has been a total lack of transparency on this project," Borgmeyer told the Post-Dispatch. "After the failed attempt by Clayco and CRG to explain this project to the public, I can't support it. We all still have a ton of unanswered questions."

But Borgmeyer also said he doesn't know Hollrah, their families are not close, and he didn't know she owns the land.

"I have no recollection of the Hollrahs ever being involved in my family," he said. "I have a family reunion in September, and I can guarantee that there won't be any Hollrahs there."

Hollrah, reached by phone, declined comment.

The proposed data center, known as Project Cumulus, would be used by an unknown American Fortune-100 company, officials have said. If approved, it would be built on farmland near an industrial area between Huster Road and Harry S Truman Boulevard. 

City officials said they have signed non-disclosure agreements barring them from releasing the name of the company.

Project spokesperson Korb Maxwell said more details about the facility will be released in the coming weeks.

“The company will come forward and unveil itself, and it will do that,� he said last week, “but after we have the necessary approvals for entitlements, permitting and other approvals that we need.�

Officials have touted the project as transformative. Tim Brinker, vice president of government relations at the region's business lobby, Greater ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Inc., said it will help turn ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ into a "national defense tech hub," joining the Boeing Corp. and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, for example.

"I think this is an incredible opportunity for everyone in this region to get ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ back on the map as a major player and atop the pyramid of American cities," Brinker said.

The St. Charles County Regional Chamber of Commerce says it will generate “significant economic growth, create high-quality jobs, and strengthen the region’s position as a hub for technology and innovation.�

“This project represents the type of forward-thinking economic development that benefits our entire community,� said Scott Tate, CEO of the regional chamber. “We are proud to support this investment and the positive impact it will have on our residents and businesses.�

Some St. Charles Councilmen aren't so sure. 

"I don't believe it will transform the region," Vince Ratchford said. 

And the proposal has proven controversial with St. Charles residents. 

Hundreds of residents came to recent meetings with lists of concerns, from construction dust to energy use to wildlife impacts to water pollution — several said they worried diesel fuel needed to power generators could contaminate nearby wetlands, farms and the city’s drinking water.

On Sunday, the citizen's group sent an email to the office of Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey and U.S. Attorney Thomas Albus, blasting the project for a lack of transparency and Borgmeyer for his relationship to the landowner.

The property is owned by Jerry and Clarice Hollrah, and by a limited liability corporation registered to Richard Hollrah. 

Clarice Hollrah is a cousin of Borgmeyer. Her father, William Hesskamp, was a brother to Borgmeyer's grandfather, Arthur Hesskamp, according to obituaries, Census records and bridal shower and wedding announcements.

Borgmeyer said Monday that critics of the data center are "grasping for any reason to stop it." 

And he said he didn't know the Hollrahs.

"I've never met any of these people," he said. "I may have met Bill when I was a little boy, but I don't know or remember him that well." 

Council members said they were only learning about the connection between Borgmeyer and the Hollrahs on Monday. 

"Definitely was not aware of anything like that," said Bart Haberstroh. "There has never been anything said about it, never been brought up to us that there might be a conflict of interest." 

A final vote on the project is slated for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the St. Charles County Convention Center.

The developer's request will need support from seven of the 10 councilmembers to pass, because the city's zoning commission has recommended denial of the project.