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Commissioners ask staff to study on‑site power generation and data‑center allowances in manufacturing districts
Summary
Commissioners and members asked staff to consider allowing safe microgeneration options and clarify data‑center and on‑site power rules in manufacturing districts; staff said data centers remain conditional uses in M5 and on‑site power generation is not currently an accessory use.
During the zoning discussion commissioners raised questions about whether manufacturing districts as currently written will allow modern on‑site power generation and how data centers are treated.
A commissioner asked whether a data center would be allowed and staff replied that a data center is a conditional use in the M5 District and could also be accommodated under general manufacturing language in M2; power generation on‑site is not currently listed as an accessory use in M5 and would require further amendment to accommodate facilities that want to generate their own power beyond rooftop solar.
Near the end of the meeting a commissioner urged that staff "really address this micro, generation of power issue within our manufacturing, districts" so the village can proactively consider technologies and avoid ad hoc, controversial proposals later. Staff said rooftop solar and other power technologies are generally allowed but larger or novel power generation approaches will need additional review and code amendments if demand emerges.
