[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,74],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",5974355,"mediaKeyId","5855097-8493d1f0d0216cf6c4b003ee2347e88e","parentId",5855097,"title","Aurora adopts 180‑day moratorium on data centers and warehouses while zoning rules are rewritten","audioSeconds",243,"startMs",2634000,"endMs",2877000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5855097-8493d1f0d0216cf6c4b003ee2347e88e&start=2634&end=2877","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5855097-8493d1f0d0216cf6c4b003ee2347e88e/thumbnail_2634000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5974355/Aurora/DuPage-County/Illinois/Aurora-adopts-180day-moratorium-on-data-centers-and-warehouses-while-zoning-rules-are-rewritten","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974355-587301e1ab3b3e7aaa14294a9068c12b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770054466&Signature=YbdCQJEuCz75DrXPzZtDaGIXo8MJnucBKM0opegKzetuolbm5wCuTOBomPT6xMHXe8-OE9nkGRj0cV-mOSgOK8ixpVmlobCteqNpuG5LZ7zwgQnySXnHBLCO7wGllpJBffdkkAWsiZNzv1mXisYFBKfIPPzR4xvbkaOFI33DtdrLhtsHMkY77~sEdCPsIHN2ZRWtY-AX~4lEezSnQlNjR~mo6zNLTwBUMC0OGtDvx1QayFrEuh1zbss9ipkw2SzDZGEOHAH8Q7plmfkAZPUIPuKt50auTN5uJYbzGZlPxwQd626pk3NU09TJyWPtE1MQOJHEVbaetZXYroO4wgRDRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Aurora, IL","date","2025-09-25T00:00:00Z","article","The Aurora City Council on Sept. 25 adopted an ordinance imposing a temporary moratorium of up to 180 days on approvals for data center facilities and warehouses while staff develops rules that separately address data centers’ impacts.

“Right now we don’t have a data center category for zoning. We only have a warehouse category,” Tracy Vasek, Zoning and Planning Director, told the council during a presentation. The council approved the moratorium by voice and roll call after a motion from Alderman Mesiakos and a second from Alderman Larson.

Why it matters: Developers had been submitting data‑center projects under the existing warehouse zoning category. City attorneys and planning staff said the moratorium will give Aurora time to develop a specific “data center” text amendment that can set standards for noise mitigation, energy and water use, siting and public‑health protections.

Public comments and concerns: Dozens of residents and local advocates urged swift action. Ankit Srivastava, a Ward 10 resident, said data centers near homes have caused noise and vibration and asked the council to “enforce a moratorium on the new data center construction near residential zones, revised zoning ordinances to reflect the true nature and impact of data centers, require full transparency in city agreements with data center operators, and prioritize community health.” Mavis Bates, chair of the Sustainable Aurora Mayor’s Advisory Board, recommended an 80‑ to 180‑day moratorium and raised concerns about water and electricity use, saying data centers “are using up electricity at an alarming rate, causing rate spikes.” Laura Evans and other residents described persistent noise and generator testing that they said has diminished quality of life.

Staff clarifications and exceptions: Dana Wysocki, corporation counsel, said the ordinance was revised to clarify the city’s home‑rule authority and to note that completed, vested zoning applications submitted before the moratorium’s effective date will be processed under the existing rules. The ordinance also includes two mechanisms for applicants affected by the pause: a conditional processing option for applicants willing to accept new requirements, and a hardship appeal process that allows the Planning and Zoning Commission and council to consider relief for applicants who can demonstrate substantial, vested investment.

Planning and next steps: Vasek told the council that the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing the previous evening and voted unanimously to recommend the moratorium. Staff said they will consult with sustainability and industry stakeholders and form an ad hoc or working group to draft the new zoning category and guardrails; the council asked that the sustainability advisory board be consulted. The moratorium may be lifted sooner than 180 days if staff completes the text amendment and council adopts it.

Council vote: The ordinance (agenda item 250,731) was adopted by council vote after the motion by Alderman Mesiakos and second by Alderman Larson; the clerk called the roll and it passed. The ordinance is effective immediately and contains language allowing the council to lift it earlier if the new rules are ready.

Distinct discussion vs. decision: The council took a formal action (adoption of the moratorium ordinance). Staff and counsel provided direction on process, and the council directed staff to develop a data center zoning classification and consult sustainability and industry stakeholders.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Streaming LIVE: Aurora Special City Council Meeting | 09-25-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council voted to adopt a temporary moratorium on new data center and warehouse approvals citywide for up to 180 days while staff crafts a distinct data-center zoning category, with exemptions for completed applications and hardship appeals.","taxTitle","Aurora, DuPage County, Illinois","taxId",2648,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":75,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":76,"_40":77,"_42":78,"_44":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},5974361,"Aurora council hears informational briefing on proposed voluntary reduction-in-force plan",1648,142000,1790000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5855097-8493d1f0d0216cf6c4b003ee2347e88e&start=142&end=1790","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5855097-8493d1f0d0216cf6c4b003ee2347e88e/thumbnail_142000.jpg","/articles/5974361/Aurora/DuPage-County/Illinois/Aurora-council-hears-informational-briefing-on-proposed-voluntary-reduction-in-force-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974361-ebde9fed2efc390e597d4682be2c6424/orig.mp4?Expires=1770054466&Signature=PmxnMo0UgZ1ZoHzAq7mWom6ZFO8PHDNQM~fy59yX5XwTMKqO6PuP7RmDU4IIhUB~XfyR49QNsklThgm211BQFTDraZaIMgfaw7SmPZj2jhg47MpBB4kLtTMpkapLStqcX0SChiMpYmFGmXxk8758AKhcLByX0JTFRuO39N~-kcZvf3UNvhAn2h9Ab62xFbmI59sSDQW-jTuQOPmxwIZEX7G0v5zrB9yQci7KgoXeu8vTBzrf7NLN~qqmziQ4AEwVSTkb-xemyQgzjwvAKMUoNU5qToNZKrnJEXsAjWuEFUcxMq2l4GiLM994UE9Q6q80hPICfXm48nx9u1AEkQKjow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Council members on Sept. 25 heard an informational presentation about a proposed voluntary reduction-in-force incentive plan intended to reduce personnel costs in the city’s general fund.

The plan, presented by the chief of staff, would offer departing employees a package that the administration described as roughly two months (eight weeks) of pay and two months of insurance continuation; it is being budgeted in the 2025 budget and would be finalized only after negotiations with collective bargaining units. “We recognize that the general fund is, you know, tens of millions of dollars in deficient so far and we're taking many different actions in order to reduce costs,” the chief of staff said.

The measure was introduced for information only; no council vote was taken. The administration asked for consensus to open discussions with unions and said it hopes to return to the council with a final plan for a possible vote at the Oct. 14 meeting.

Why it matters: City staff make up a large share of the general fund, and the administration said the plan is one tool to avoid deeper cuts. The discussion focused on how buyouts would be implemented, whether positions would be refilled, and the limits of the administration’s ability to promise future hiring.

Key details and council concerns: The chief of staff said staff make up 69% of the general fund and acknowledged the difficulty of losing experienced employees, while noting the plan could accelerate retirements for some staff. “This kind of allows us to right the budget,” the chief of staff said. The plan would allow departments to present “decrement lists” — suggested reductions or alternatives — and each department already was asked to produce a 20% decrement list as an exercise.

Alderman Franco asked whether the administration intends to keep positions open after buyouts or rehire, saying, “Wouldn't we want the experienced people to stay as opposed to bringing in new people to fill in those positions?” The chief of staff replied that eligible employees still must apply and could be accepted or denied, and that the city can approve or deny applicants to protect critical roles. Alderman Pereira urged caution and asked that layoffs not continue while the vRIF process is implemented; the chief of staff replied that the plan is intended to be offered to employees and that department-level conversations would continue.

Other points raised: Council members pressed for more detail about projected savings. The chief of staff said staff could produce goals but could not estimate precise savings until employees choose to participate, because the fiscal effect depends on which roles are vacated. The chief of staff said the city had been looking at a roughly $30,000,000 shortfall before bargaining contracts, decision packages and capital improvement plans are finalized.

Process and next steps: The administration said it will meet with each bargaining unit to negotiate terms; unions may accept or reject the plan individually. The administration also said it will provide town-hall briefings for employees in October and continue departmental meetings about decrement lists. The council asked staff to provide historical context (for example, earlier workforce reductions around 2010–2011 were discussed in general terms) and to supply estimates of past savings where possible.

Distinction of discussion vs. decision: This was an informational briefing and council members did not take formal action. The council agreed to allow staff to continue negotiations with unions and to return with a final proposed ordinance or plan at a future meeting (target Oct. 14).","City leaders discussed a proposed voluntary reduction-in-force (vRIF) incentive plan to reduce general-fund personnel costs, sought consensus to negotiate with unions and said a final plan could return to council Oct. 14 for a vote.","actionData","errors"]

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Aurora adopts 180‑day moratorium on data centers and warehouses while zoning rules are rewritten

Aurora council hears informational briefing on proposed voluntary reduction-in-force plan