McHenry County proposes 12-month ban on new data centers in unincorporated parts of county
McHenry County is considering a 12-month moratorium on new data centers in unincorporated areas. The proposed ordinance would pause data center-related zoning and permit applications while county officials develop standards, with a full County Board vote scheduled for November 17.
The McHenry County Planning, Environment and Development Committee is set to consider an ordinance imposing a 12-month moratorium on new data centers in unincorporated parts of the county. The proposed ban would halt the submission, review and approval of zoning applications, site plans, variances and building permits for data centers, which are not currently defined in the county’s zoning ordinance.
The measure is expected to go before the full McHenry County Board for a November 17 vote and would take effect immediately if approved. Vice Chair Joseph Gottemoller has urged the county to establish rules for data centers, while Administrator Scott Hartman said the pause would give the Planning and Development Department time to develop standards. The moratorium would not apply to incorporated cities and villages, which control their own zoning.