Tazewell County Prepares Data Center Zoning Ordinance, Adopts Renewable Energy Rules
Tazewell County officials are actively working on developing a new zoning ordinance specifically for data centers, with a proposal expected by August or September. This effort follows a review of Logan County's data center zoning process. While other nearby communities have enacted temporary moratoriums, Tazewell County currently has no plans to do so.
The Tazewell County Land Use Committee recently addressed several zoning issues, including significant recommendations for renewable energy projects and ongoing discussions regarding data center regulations. The committee recommended approval of two energy amendments to the full Tazewell County Board. These amendments aim to create a comprehensive renewable energy ordinance that combines and replaces existing regulations for commercial wind and solar farms, while also establishing standards for battery energy storage systems. They also propose expanding application requirements for developers, strengthening insurance and financial assurance, and detailing decommissioning standards.
Separately, the committee heard from Logan County Zoning Officer Allan Green, who provided insights into Logan County's process for developing its data center zoning ordinance. Tazewell County leaders have been working on their own data center regulations since earlier this year. While they have yet to formalize a proposal, committee chairman Russ Crawford stated that the data center ordinance would be the next priority after the renewable energy measures, with an anticipated proposal in August or September. Crawford emphasized the importance of careful ordinance creation to mitigate potential negative impacts related to location, water usage, and electrical usage.
Despite other communities like Normal and Bloomington adopting temporary moratoriums on data center proposals, Crawford indicated that Tazewell County currently has no plans to enact one. The focus remains on developing a robust ordinance that addresses community concerns and ensures responsible development.