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Bloomington council signals support for at least six‑month moratorium on hyperscale data centers after public outcry
Summary
After more than two hours of public comment raising water, noise and land‑use concerns, the Bloomington City Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance for the May 26 meeting to impose at least a six‑month moratorium targeted at hyperscale data centers; staff said outright bans are unlikely but heavy regulation is possible.
After an hour of public comment and extended council discussion on May 18, the Bloomington City Council signaled consensus to pursue at least a six‑month moratorium on hyperscale data centers and asked staff to draft an ordinance for the council to consider at its May 26 meeting.
The move followed more than two dozen public comments urging the council to halt large‑scale data‑center development. "Please ditch the data center," Ruth Burke told the council, asking officials to instead explore companion industries such as cold storage for food distribution and to consult legal counsel on home‑rule authority. Several other residents described concerns about water use, noise, property values and limited local jobs.
"In the next serious drought, how much would a data center's enormous water demands worsen the already precarious drinking water situation?" asked Nick Frillman, a southeast Bloomington resident, describing recent multi‑year below‑average rainfall and neighborhood vulnerability.
Council members repeatedly framed the action as a pause for study rather than an immediate ban. "I'm going to be supportive of the moratorium," Council member Mosley said, while stressing the need to set clear parameters and bring in outside experts. Deputy city manager Mr. Tyus told the audience that staff will research statutes and prepare the ordinance, but warned that state law makes an outright zoning ban unlikely; "you can heavily regulate properties ... to the point where they're not going to want to come anyway," he said.
Members described a narrow focus on "hyperscale" facilities — very large campuses that would place substantial new demand on local water and power systems — and asked staff to: identify types of data centers that might fit Bloomington, outline infrastructure protections (water, energy, land‑use safeguards), coordinate with McLean County and nearby jurisdictions, and assess enforceable conditions such as special‑use approvals, utility‑impact reviews and penalties for violations.
Several residents asked the council to require developers to bring their own energy or water infrastructure if possible. Council member Scott and others urged transparency and community engagement during the six‑month review, with an option to extend the moratorium if more time is needed.
The mayor said staff will return an ordinance for consideration at the May 26 meeting. If adopted, the ordinance would pause approvals for covered proposals while the city develops technical requirements, enforcement mechanisms and regional coordination. The council did not take a final vote on an ordinance at the May 18 meeting; instead it established direction to staff and a timeline for the next meeting.
What happens next: staff will draft and publish the proposed moratorium ordinance for the May 26 meeting, including scope and duration, and the council will vote in public. If adopted, the moratorium would temporarily halt approvals for hyperscale facilities while the city studies regulatory options and coordinates with county partners.
