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Hobart board adopts one-year moratorium on data center development
Summary
The Village of Hobart on July 7 approved Ordinance 2026-07 establishing a one-year moratorium on data center development to allow time for zoning rules; the vote was 4-1 with Trustee Melissa Tanke opposing and urging tighter definitions.
The Village of Hobart Board of Trustees approved Ordinance 2026-07 on July 7, 2026, imposing a one-year moratorium on data center development while staff and elected officials draft zoning regulations to govern such facilities.
Director Gerbers outlined the purpose of the ordinance during a public hearing that opened at 6:04 p.m. and closed at 7:27 p.m. Several residents appeared to speak on the topic, including Dave Behrend (Town of Morgan), Joanne Chaudoir (3303 Pioneer Dr), Meredith Walbrun (4446 N. Pine Tree Road), Dan Bake (4369 Hilton Head), Tim Duckett (4384 Windemer Lane), and Fred Walbrun (4446 N. Pine Tree Road). The hearing record lists those attendees as addressing data center issues; the minutes do not record verbatim remarks.
President Richard Heidel moved to adopt the ordinance and Trustee Vanya Koepke seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote, 4-1. Trustee Melissa Tanke registered the lone dissent and stated she wanted the moratorium’s definitions to be more restrictive. The ordinance pauses new data center development for one year to give the village time to draft regulatory language for its zoning code.
Next steps: staff and the board will prepare zoning language and an implementing ordinance during the moratorium period. No additional procedural dates for that drafting step are listed in the July 7 minutes.
