Lake County staff previews 2026 ordinance packets; flags battery storage and data centers for review
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Summary
Planning director Eric Wagner told the PBZE committee that multiple ordinance amendment packets are planned for 2026 — including solar-related updates to accommodate battery energy storage systems (BES) required by recent state statutory changes — and staff will present a discussion item on possible data center regulations in February.
Planning, Building & Development Director Eric Wagner told the committee the department expects several ordinance amendment packets in 2026, including sustainable development incentives, logistics center rules, outdoor lighting and landscaping updates, process streamlining, and required updates to county solar regulations to conform with recent state statutory changes.
“These… amendments are a result of changes to the… county solar regulation statute,” Wagner said, explaining that counties must update ordinances to accommodate standalone battery energy storage systems (BES) and related fee provisions.
Committee members asked about the scale, safety and review process for BES. Member Schlick asked whether local examples exist and whether these are "mini facilities" or larger installations; Wagner said BES are commonly paired with solar projects but standalone facilities could be substantially larger and that local fire protection districts have been involved in planning discussions to ensure access and fire suppression systems.
On data centers, Member Wasek asked whether the committee must formally vote to initiate regulations and whether an expedited review is possible because a large complex has already broken ground in his district. Wagner said staff will present a February discussion item providing background, observed characteristics, potential impacts and regulatory options; if the committee directs staff to proceed, the packet would move through ZBA, committee and full board for final action.
Wagner emphasized that timelines vary by urgency and noted the county previously accelerated rulemaking in response to state solar statute changes. No ordinance packet was adopted at the meeting; staff will return with materials for committee review in coming cycles.
