In wake of new Aurora rules, Sugar Grove eyes changes to its regulations on data center developments

The Sugar Grove Village Board recently debated changes to its data center regulations, following a trend among Chicago’s western suburbs to establish stricter controls on development. Village President Sue Stillwell initially pushed for a moratorium, similar to one recently concluded in Aurora which led to new strict energy, water, and noise standards for data centers. However, Stillwell did not secure enough support for a full moratorium in Sugar Grove. The board did, however, find consensus on establishing temporary zoning changes. Community Development Director Danielle Marion explained that Sugar Grove adopted an ordinance in 2022 creating a specific data center zoning district and allowing data centers in limited manufacturing or light industrial districts without additional board approvals, provided certain standards are met. Currently, no land in Sugar Grove is zoned for data centers or light industrial use, meaning developers would need to rezone property, which requires a public hearing and board approval. Trustees debated the economic benefits versus environmental and resource concerns, with some advocating for keeping the ordinance in place with amendments, and others like Michael Roskopf opposing data centers entirely. Ultimately, the board supported temporarily making data centers a special use categorization in limited manufacturing districts. This would require developers to seek plan commission review and village board approval for any new projects, acting as a "stopgap" measure while permanent regulations are drafted. This proposed zoning change would require a public hearing before it can be officially approved.