McLean County Board passes several items, including data center zoning measure

The McLean County Board passed a significant zoning measure aimed at protecting much of its land from becoming home to data centers. The full board approved the county zoning board's recommendations, establishing clear guidelines for where data centers can be constructed within the county. Under the new policy, data center proposals are permitted only in manufacturing districts and are expressly forbidden in agricultural zones. Board member Leah Klene highlighted that these designated manufacturing areas are strategically located near existing Amron substations, which are crucial for power supply. Klene also noted that this policy will severely restrict the locations where 'AI farms' can be built. The new regulations apply to McLean County generally but specifically exclude the cities of Bloomington and Normal, where data center zoning decisions remain under the jurisdiction of their respective town and city councils. The board's decision reflects an effort to manage the growth of data centers while preserving agricultural land and leveraging existing infrastructure.