Councilmember proposes one-year data center moratorium
Evanston Councilmember Krissie Harris is proposing a one-year moratorium on data center zoning approvals and incentives while the city evaluates infrastructure and grid impacts. The proposal follows opposition to a planned 20,000-square-foot data center at 1265 Hartrey Ave., whose zoning application remains pending.
Evanston Councilmember Krissie Harris has proposed a one-year citywide moratorium on data center zoning approvals and incentives. The measure, which would remain in place pending infrastructure and grid audits, is scheduled for consideration by the Evanston City Council’s Referrals Committee and has the support of four additional council members, giving it majority backing on the nine-member council.
The proposal follows vocal opposition to a data center planned for 1265 Hartrey Ave. in Evanston’s Second Ward. Property owner Reed Beidler has submitted a zoning analysis application to convert about 20,000 square feet in a former factory into a computer processing center, with most capacity intended for a large organization and the remainder for smaller businesses.