Tazewell County is taking an initial step toward a temporary pause on data center proposals as officials develop new regulations. The county’s land use committee recommended a nine-month moratorium Wednesday, citing community concerns and expected turnover on the county board after the Nov. 3 election. The proposal now moves to a public hearing.
Key takeaways
- The land use committee recommended a nine-month moratorium on data center proposals.
- The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing next month.
- Final approval would require another committee review and a vote by the full county board.
- County officials are also considering a specialized data center task force.
The recommendation is the first formal step in a process that could temporarily block new data center proposals in Tazewell County. The Zoning Board of Appeals must consider the measure before it returns to the land use committee and eventually advances to the full county board.
Existing zoning rules already limit proposals
Tazewell County already has a temporary safeguard in place through a zoning code amendment approved in April. The change prohibits land uses that are not explicitly authorized by the county code or a supplemental ordinance.
Community Development Administrator Jackie Workman described the provision as a temporary moratorium in practice, even though it is not formally labeled one. County staff and the land use committee are using the time to draft a comprehensive data center ordinance.
Officials say a formal pause could ease concerns
Some committee members said a written moratorium could reassure residents who fear a data center proposal might move forward while new regulations are being prepared. Eric Stahl said the measure would provide additional comfort while officials develop temporary language.
Committee member Eugene Glueck similarly said a moratorium could make the public more comfortable with the county’s ongoing planning process. Committee Chair Russ Crawford initially questioned whether the measure was necessary because of the April zoning amendment, but ultimately supported advancing it as a way to address public concerns.
Proposed task force would help write regulations
Crawford also proposed creating a Tazewell County Data Center Task Force with fewer than 10 members. Workman would chair the group, which would include experts on data centers and related issues and help county staff and committee members draft the county’s ordinance.
Crawford called the task force concept a particularly valuable feature of Aurora’s data center ordinance. The idea was brought forward by a resident who has opposed data center development and spoken at county meetings.
Moratorium timing reflects upcoming turnover
The land use committee recommended nine months partly because substantial turnover is expected on the county board after the Nov. 3 election. The eventual measure could allow the board to end the moratorium early or extend it, depending on the language adopted.
Tazewell County would join Woodford and McLean counties, as well as Bloomington and Normal, where moratoriums on data center proposals are already in place. The next major step will be the Zoning Board of Appeals’ public hearing next month.
