McLean County Board approves restrictive data center zoning requirements
The McLean County Board approved new, detailed zoning requirements for data centers, which officials say are more stringent than most neighboring counties in Central Illinois. These rules will require facility owners to identify impacts on infrastructure, public services, water use, wastewater, and electricity consumption. While the board approved these new regulations, it stopped short of enacting a six-month moratorium on data centers, unlike the nearby cities of Bloomington and Normal.
The McLean County Board has formally approved comprehensive zoning regulations for data centers, adopting rules previously endorsed by the county’s Land Use and Transportation Committee and Zoning Board of Appeals. These new regulations are designed to be some of the most stringent in Central Illinois, requiring data center developers to detail potential impacts on local infrastructure and public services, including roads, emergency services, and utilities.
Key provisions mandate reporting on planned water usage, sources, treatment, and effects on local groundwater, as well as plans for wastewater disposal and environmental impacts. Electricity consumption must also be monitored and documented, along with its sources and strain on electrical infrastructure. Furthermore, developers will need to provide specialized training and equipment for the fire protection district responsible for emergency response and submit a decommissioning plan for site restoration upon closure.
The board's decision, which came as part of its consent agenda, contrasts with the actions of Bloomington and Normal, which have implemented six-month moratoriums on data center development. Michele Blatzheim, an organizer with Illinois People’s Action, expressed gratitude for the board's work, highlighting the necessity of such protections given the Illinois General Assembly's failure to pass state-level data center regulations.
In other business, the board approved an amendment to a master services agreement with Axon, expected to save the sheriff's department over $363,000, and addressed incorrect tax bills in Hudson and the Lake Bloomington area. They also modified the Bloomington-Normal Enterprise zone to add approximately 173 acres for tax incentives, aiming to provide more residential space.