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Lake County Council approves decommissioning rules for battery storage and data centers
Summary
The Lake County Council unanimously approved amendments adding decommissioning and abandonment provisions to the Unified Development Ordinance for battery energy storage (Ordinance 2597) and data‑center projects (Ordinance 2598); council scheduled an April 16 open house to address public questions on a pending data‑center zoning application.
The Lake County Council voted unanimously on March 10 to adopt zoning amendments that add explicit decommissioning and abandonment requirements for battery energy storage systems and data centers. The measures, Ordinance 2597 (battery storage) and Ordinance 2598 (data‑center decommissioning plan), were described by staff as limited additions to the county’s existing Unified Development Ordinance that focus on ensuring sites are returned to usable condition and environmental issues are remediated if projects are abandoned.
Council members described the amendments as proactive safeguards. A planning‑staff member said the ordinances “do nothing more than spell out the provision for abandonment and decommissioning” and stressed the county’s dual role as a legislative and fiscal body reviewing land‑use changes. The council passed both items on first and second readings after suspending the rules; roll calls recorded unanimous 7–0 votes.
Residents submitted formal comments opposing data‑center proposals. Eagle Creek Township residents Tom and Stephanie Lincoln asked that their written “formal notice of opposition and demand for moratorium” be entered into the record; the council agreed to accept it and to host a public forum. Council members said the ordinances do not constitute a permit for any specific development and reiterated that any site‑specific data‑center proposals still must proceed through the plan commission’s special‑exception and zoning processes.
The council and planning staff announced an April 16 open house at Tri‑Creek High School auditorium aimed at giving residents direct access to state agencies, utility representatives and developers. The meeting will be advertised broadly; council members said they want state energy, IDNR, and utility representatives present to answer technical questions.
Council statements emphasized that the ordinances are intended to preserve local control and create clear post‑use obligations for large infrastructure projects. One council member summarized the approach as governing the process rather than making ad hoc decisions: “If the policy is deficient, we do what we’re doing here today and add to it,” the member said.
Next steps: site‑specific zoning and special‑exception applications will be handled through the plan commission and board of zoning appeals; the council’s ordinance amendments will apply at the review stages that follow.
