LaSalle County committee begins drafting data-center zoning language, weighs moratorium and industrial-only restriction
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Summary
Committee members heard a report on data-center zoning, discussed adopting a formal definition and conditions (water and power safeguards), and asked staff to compile municipal and Sangamon County sample language; no ordinance vote was taken.
Don Jensen, who attended a recent statewide meeting on data centers, told the LaSalle County Land Use Committee that counties are still wrestling with where and how to regulate data centers and that Sangamon County’s sample language is being used as a reference. "Lot of discussion on zoning ordinance and where, they think the county should go as far as the data centers," he said.
Brian (county land-use staff) told the committee that in the absence of specific data-center language a petitioner could pursue a tax amendment, rezone to industrial, or seek a special use in an industrial district. "If you allow it in A-1, you're basically saying we're open to it kinda going anywhere in the county," Brian said, arguing that restricting data centers to industrial districts would tend to keep them closer to infrastructure.
Why it matters: Data centers can require large power and water supplies and can affect local infrastructure and municipal customers. Committee members flagged hydrologic studies, closed-loop water requirements and power-sourcing conditions as issues they want addressed before adopting local rules.
Committee discussion and next steps: Members debated whether to adopt a definition of "data center," require environmental and hydrologic studies, or impose conditions such as closed-loop water systems and limits on power sourcing. Kathy (committee member) said a temporary moratorium was worth considering while ordinance language is drafted: "I think the moratorium is a great thought there too." Jeremiah (committee member) recommended reviewing municipal ordinances in Marseilles, Ottawa, LaSalle, Peru and nearby cities, noting municipalities may already have language in place.
The committee did not vote on an ordinance. Chair Doug Stockley asked Brian to collect municipal samples, the Sangamon County tax-amendment language circulated earlier and draft language addressing electrical power consumption for discussion at the next meeting. Members also discussed the possibility of forming a subcommittee to draft restrictions and agreed staff should gather comparative municipal language.
