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Commission recommends text amendments to Appendix C: adds adult day services definition; proposes rules for battery storage and data centers
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended a suite of zoning code text amendments that add a definition for 'adult day services', address battery energy storage and data centers as special uses in the BP district, and direct staff to tighten performance standards and setbacks to protect nearby properties.
The commission voted to recommend approval of multiple text amendments to Appendix C of the Vernon Hills zoning code, including a new defined use for "adult day services," a battery energy storage system definition, and a data‑center definition with proposed performance restrictions.
Staff read the new adult day services definition into the record: "a facility that provides daytime meal services, transportation, health monitoring, medication supervision, personal care, recreation, therapeutic activities for adults who want to remain in the community but require assistance with these tasks while caregivers are away from the home. Does not include medical office, medical service facility, or nursing home." The staff presentation said battery energy storage systems as a principal use would be allowed as a special use in the BP district only and that data centers would be allowed in BP subject to added restrictions (setbacks, noise and light controls and architecturally‑pleasing security fencing).
Commission discussion covered appropriate setback distances, generator and noise cycling concerns, and limits on lighting. Staff proposed a 300‑foot minimum setback for data‑center equipment from property lines; commissioners suggested reviewing whether the setback should apply to all property lines. The staff also proposed combining the specialty‑school definition with existing children's recreation uses to avoid duplicate categories and recommended adding flexibility to parking ratios for unlisted or novel uses.
The commission attached four conditions for final text amendment recommendation: add adult day service to B1 where needed for existing businesses, review and strengthen performance standards for data centers (including overnight noise restrictions), set data‑center equipment setbacks to 300 feet from property lines, and review combining specialty school and children's recreation definitions across commercial districts. Chair Pro Tem Heidner moved the motion; Commissioner Hendrick seconded. The motion passed unanimously and will be forwarded to the village board.
